Coping with Family and Protecting Your Peace During the Holiday Season

The Holidays Aren’t Easy for Everyone

For many people, the holidays are filled with joy, connection, and celebration; however, for others, this season can bring stress, complicated family dynamics, emotional triggers, and even grief.

If being around family leaves you feeling drained, anxious, or overwhelmed, you aren’t the only person who feels this way, and you aren’t wrong for feeling it.

Why the Holidays Can Be So Hard

Family gatherings oftentimes bring up:

• Unresolved conflicts or tension

• Boundary violations (especially around food, relationships, or life choices)

• Pressure to perform or keep the peace

• Loneliness or grief, even in crowded rooms

Whether you’re dealing with toxic dynamics, passive-aggressive comments, or just trying to remain grounded around people who don’t truly “get” you, your emotional safety matters.

6 Ways to Protect Your Peace This Holiday Season:

1. Set Boundaries, Ahead of Time: You don’t owe access to your time, energy, or emotions. Decide in advance:

• How long you want to stay

• What topics are off-limits

• What you’re willing (or not willing) to explain

Boundaries aren’t walls: they’re protection.

2. Plan for Emotional Check-Ins: Before and after events, check in with yourself:

• How am I feeling in my body right now?

• Do I need to step away for a moment?

• What can I do to calm down/self-soothe?

Your feelings are information, not overreactions.

3. Have an Exit Strategy

It’s okay to leave early or skip certain gatherings. If staying the whole time feels too much, give yourself permission to step out or opt out.

4. Don’t Argue with People Who Are Committed to Misunderstanding You

You don’t need to explain your healing, your career, your relationship status, or your parenting choices to anyone who isn’t safe. Protect your peace, not their comfort.

5. Create Your Own Moments of Joy

Your holiday doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Watch your favorite movie, cook for yourself, spend time with your chosen family, or rest. You deserve joy, too!

6. Talk It Through in Therapy

Anticipating family stress is a valid reason to bring it into therapy. Planning how to emotionally prepare, regulate, and recover is part of the work.

You Deserve to Feel Safe, Even During the Holidays

You’re allowed to be complex. You’re allowed to have boundaries. You’re allowed to choose peace.

If the holiday season brings up more than you expected, support is available. Therapy can help you find clarity, stay grounded, and take care of yourself in the midst of it all.

If you need additional support this holiday season, our team of professionals at Enrich Therapy Group are here to help. Please check in, send us a message or email.