How to Slow Down During the Holidays: Boundaries, Planning & Less Stress

How to Slow Down During the Holidays: Boundaries, Planning & Less Stress

The holidays are supposed to be joyful—but they can also be incredibly stressful.

Between family obligations, packed schedules, last-minute invitations, pushy relatives, shopping, traditions, and expectations, it's easy to find yourself rushing through the season instead of actually enjoying it.

And the holidays can bring up a lot emotionally, too. Memories may be joyful and nostalgic, but they can also bring up sadness, anxiety, and difficult family dynamics.

So here's your reminder:

You do not have to be everything to everybody.

In this episode of the Slow Living Podcast, Stephanie O'Dea shares practical ways to slow down during the holiday season, set healthy boundaries, and make a plan before the holiday chaos begins.

Stephanie's favorite strategy? Make your plan when you're feeling calm and clear-headed—not when you're already overwhelmed.

Think about what you actually want your holiday season to look and feel like. Then make decisions that support that vision.

In this episode, Stephanie talks about:

• How to slow down during the holidays
• Setting boundaries with pushy relatives
• Handling last-minute invitations
• Planning ahead so you aren't making decisions under stress
• Giving yourself permission to say no
• Letting go of the pressure to make everyone happy
• Creating a holiday season you genuinely enjoy
• What to do when the holidays bring up difficult emotions

You don't have to enjoy every single moment of the holidays.

But you can decide what matters most to you—and protect space for it.

You do you.

In This Episode

Segment #1: MOP Session Takeaways & Planning for the Holiday Season

Timestamp: 40-second mark

Segment #2: Listener Questions

Timestamp: 9-minute mark

Read Stephanie's Book

📖 Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World

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Podcast Notes

Find all podcast notes at stephanieodea.com/podcastnotes

Have a question you'd like Stephanie to cover, or a Slow Living Story of your own you'd like to share? Leave a voicemail.

Learn More About Stephanie O'Dea

Website: stephanieodea.com

Podcast: stephanieodea.com/podcast

Blog: stephanieodea.com/blog

Speaking: stephanieodea.com/speaking/