Personal Growth Sucks

01/20/2025

Do you ever find yourself huffing and puffing, slamming cupboard doors, or muttering under your breath, hoping someone will magically realize you need help?

This is called a passive rescue wish, and it’s a fast track to resentment.

When we expect others to read our minds or pick up on subtle clues, we set ourselves up for frustration when they don’t. And let’s be honest—most people aren’t great at guessing what we need.

Here’s a better way:
💡 Recognize what you need.
💡 Communicate it clearly and directly.
💡 Ask for help without guilt or shame.

For example, instead of thinking, “Doesn’t anyone else care that the kitchen is a disaster?” try saying, “Hey, can we divide and conquer to clean up the kitchen? I could use some help.”

It’s amazing how much lighter things feel when you stop wishing and start asking.

What’s one thing you need today? Practice naming it and asking for help.

01/16/2025

𝘔𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵. 𝘗𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴.

One of the things I’m appreciating today is the ability to listen to music online. I love that, in one moment, I can search for an artist or an album and immediately start listening. I can create endless playlists. It’s amazing. I’m listening to a playlist of soundtracks right now - it includes tracks from Marvel movies, Pirates of the Caribbean, Harry Potter, Kung Fu Panda, Disney movies, the Hunger Games, and more.

What’s one thing you’re grateful for today? (Also… what’s on your playlist right now?)

12/11/2024

Feeling cranky about Christmas? 🎄😠 Here are three reasons the holidays might feel harder than they should—and what you can do about it:

1️⃣ You’re trying to be the Holiday Magic Coordinator.
You’ve taken on the job of making everyone else’s holiday special, likely because deep down, you believe it’s your job to manage their emotions and experiences.

What to do:
Let go of the idea that you can control how others feel. It’s okay to feel tired, anxious, sad, or overwhelmed—those emotions are part of being human. Practice accepting your own feelings and giving others permission to experience theirs, too.

2️⃣ Your system is rebelling against unhealthy patterns.
The holidays tend to amplify whatever emotional or relational habits you’re already wrestling with—like people-pleasing, overachieving, or putting others’ needs ahead of your own. When the pressure’s cranked up, it’s no surprise if your system pushes back with crankiness, detachment, or burnout.

What to do:
Be gentle with yourself. Recognize your crankiness as a signal to slow down and honor your needs. Simplify your holiday to-do list and practice self-compassion.

3️⃣ You’re chasing external expectations instead of your own values.
Your holiday task list might be based on what you think you should do—whether it’s shaped by cultural norms, family traditions, or someone else’s vision of the perfect season—rather than what truly matters to you.

What to do:
It’s normal to feel frustrated or resentful when your priorities aren’t aligned with your values. Instead of ignoring those feelings, get curious about what they’re telling you. Reflect on what’s most important to you this holiday season, and start making those values your focus.

The bottom line:
✨ It’s okay if the holidays feel difficult. Make room to honor (and be curious about) all of your emotions, even the difficult ones. ✨

Which of these resonates most with you right now? 👇

12/06/2024

Confession: I’m not feeling the Christmas spirit this year. 🎄

We had a packed fall that led straight into a family vacation—an incredible experience, but one that dumped us right into winter and Christmas as soon as we got home. I thought I had planned ahead to make the transition smooth, but it’s not smooth. It’s messy.

And honestly? I just want a nap!!

I don’t want to shop, bake, decorate, or plan. The joy and energy I usually bring to the holidays? It’s hiding somewhere under my to-do list.

But here’s the thing: in this difficult space, I have to take my own advice.

Step 1: Self-Compassion
The first thing I remind myself is this: It’s okay to be here.
It’s okay to feel like I’m not enough. It’s okay to not feel the magic of the season right now.

Even if I don’t do all the “normal” holiday things, I’m not a failure. My worth isn’t tied to how perfect my Christmas looks.

Step 2: Slow Down & Check In
When I feel overwhelmed, I know I need to pause and ask myself: What do I need and want from this season?

Here’s what I’ve been thinking about:

What’s my capacity right now?
What can I realistically take on without draining myself?
Which traditions or tasks can I let go of for this year?
Because the truth is, I don’t have to do it all.

Step 3: Get My Family Involved
After getting clear on what I can handle, I check in with my family. Here’s what I’ve been asking:

What’s important to you this year?
What do YOU want to prioritize for the holidays?
I’m finding out where their energy is. Maybe they have more energy than I do and can take on some of the holiday tasks. For example:

My husband might take over shopping for stockings.
My daughters might want to handle decorating the house.

When I let go of trying to do it all myself, I make space for us to work as a team—and for my family to contribute in ways that feel meaningful to them, too.

My Christmas To-Do List (Revised)
✅ Practice self-compassion.
✅ Focus on my capacity and priorities.
✅ Talk to my family about our vision for the holidays.
✅ Release perfection and embrace connection.

That’s it.

If you’re not feeling the Christmas spirit this year, you’re not alone. You have permission to simplify, to rest, and to focus on what matters most to you.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be yours. ❤️

12/04/2024

🚨🚨Attention Holiday People-Pleasers 🚨🚨

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Holiday magic FOR YOU is possible! Finally give yourself the gift of saying "no" to other people's expectations and reclaim your peace this season. Get it at 50% off for a limited time: https://happierholidays.net/

12/02/2024

You're doing your best. Today is a great day to practice self-compassion and letting go of perfectionism. You are enough. 🩵✨

11/29/2024

The holiday countdown has started! 🗓️ 30 days until Christmas 🎄🎁

Will it be 30 days of the same old holiday stress?

This year, invest in yourself and create a plan for a stress-free, value-driven holiday through Happier Holidays, AND get 50% with our Black Friday sale! ✨

https://happierholidays.net/

11/27/2024

11/18/2024

Overwhelmed by the Holidays? Let’s Fix That.

🚨 [FREE QUIZ] 🚨 Is your holiday stress turning you into a scrooge? https://happierholidays.net/holiday-stress-quiz705075

Does your holiday to-do list include:
✅ Making things magical for everyone else 🪄
✅ Being the holiday activity coordinator 🗓️
✅ Moving that @ #$! stuffed elf every single night 🤶🏼
✅ Serving as the designated shopper, cook, baker, and gift-wrapper for everyone 🛒
✅ Suppressing your feelings in order to keep the peace with extended family 🙊
✅ Saying “yes” to everyone else’s expectations when you really want to say “NO” 🫣😩🥺

Guess what?

✨ It doesn’t have to be this way!! ✨

Our free quiz will identify your 🎄 Holiday Stress Style 🎄 and show you how to manage your stress so you can make this year the best one yet. https://happierholidays.net/holiday-stress-quiz705075

Start looking forward to the holidays instead of already wishing they were over! 🤩🎁

11/12/2024

Want holiday bliss instead of holiday burnout? Happier Holidays shows you how! 🎄🎁

I used to dream of having a holiday filled with joy, not obligations. Filled with activities that I enjoyed, not ones that sucked all the energy out of me. Filled with moments that aligned with my values, not moments that I was just trying to survive.

I wanted more “fa-la-la” 🎅🏻 and less “bah-humbug.” 🤬

I finally learned how to do this in my personal life and now I’ve created a workshop that will help you do the same. It teaches practical ways to honor your personal values, set boundaries (even with difficult people), and make space for what truly matters to you.

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