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202. What to Do When Christmas Joy Starts Feeling Like Pressure
Episode 2029th December 2025 • Journal Entries • Samantha Hawley | Inspired by Brene Brown, Glennon Doyle, Marie Forleo, Hillary Kerr, Mel Robbins
00:00:00 00:12:27

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You love Christmas. You want to create magic for your kids. But somewhere between the cookie baking and the coordinating and the shoulds, you realize the pressure to make it all perfect is keeping you from actually being present. And that's the thing you wanted most.

This episode breaks down the belief driving the exhaustion — and what changes when you stop long enough to ask yourself: Why am I doing this? Do I even enjoy it?

Key Takeaways

  • The hidden belief behind holiday burnout (and how it shows up on autopilot)
  • What you’re trying to protect when you take responsibility for every detail
  • A simple question to ask before adding one more tradition, event, or expectation
  • How to create joy without performing perfection

After listening, you’ll feel lighter — like you can enjoy the season instead of choreographing it. Press play and give yourself permission to let something be easier this year.

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