Hi everyone! My name is Diana Garcia and I’m a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and founder of a private practice called Nurturing Minds Counseling.

We’ve been doing 12 tips for the holiday season to help you have a stress-free season. So far in the Holiday Self-Care Series, I’ve covered the following:

Holiday Self-Care Series: Day 8: Managing Personal Expectations

For today’s tip, I want to discuss expectations—a significant source of stress that often accompanies the holiday season. Whether it’s in-person gatherings or virtual events, the pressure to create a flawless experience can be overwhelming. To continue reading the blog, scroll down or if your prefer the video, just watch below.

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There are so many extra to-dos on the list during the holidays, whether that’s buying gifts, cooking dinner, sending out holiday cards, taking holiday photos, etc. Each task can feel like an added weight, especially when you feel pressured to excel in every area.

I encourage you to take a moment to notice and acknowledge if you’re imposing unrealistic expectations on yourself. Ask yourself: “What do I really want to achieve this holiday season? Am I trying to please everyone?” Recognizing these questions can help you gain clarity and reduce stress.

A common stressor I often hear, particularly from mothers, is the desire to make Christmas magical for their families. The pressure to create beautiful memories can feel immense. Many feel that they must find the most thoughtful gift or organize the most stunning holiday gathering. This can lead to anxiety, as the desire to meet these expectations often overshadows the joy of the season.

Take a step back and reflect on what truly matters to you. Is it perfection or connection? The holidays should be about cherishing moments with loved ones, not about meeting a checklist of tasks.

Let’s also talk about the impact of social media. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your holiday experience to the seemingly perfect ones depicted online. Remember, those images often represent curated moments and not the reality of everyday life. This comparison can amplify feelings of inadequacy and pressure.

Instead of striving for perfection, focus on what you want the essence of the holidays to mean to—connection, love, and gratitude? You don’t have to buy the perfect gift, be the perfect host, or create a flawless experience for your family. Acknowledge what’s driving this desire to perfect, choose whether it’s help or not to listen to it and redirect your attention to the joy of simply being present during the holiday season.

As you go through the various activities this holiday season, pay attention to the expectations you place on yourself. Notice when you start to feel overwhelmed and gently remind yourself that it’s okay to let some things go. You’re not alone in feeling this way, and it’s perfectly acceptable to prioritize your well-being.

I hope this reflection on managing expectations is helpful. Remember, the holidays can be enjoyed, not endured. Let’s embrace the season with kindness toward ourselves and each other, starting with yourself!

Check out these other resources to take care of yourself during the holiday season:

Lastly, I hope you continue nurturing your mind, body, and soul, whatever that looks like for you.