Choosing Peace Over Perfection

This time of year (which I genuinely adore) has always been a mix of pure joy and running myself into the ground. I loved the lights, the magic, the relaxed days at work, making cookies and Chex Mix with my kids, and watching our stack of holiday movies.

But I was also dealing with a whole lot of self-imposed pressure. December became a race to make everything perfect. Planning and buying gifts for both sides, doing all the work for a holiday card no one else in my house cared about, visiting multiple families in a day.

Working extra hours so I could take time off with my kids. Living through the first holidays after losing my parents and sticking around out of obligation when I wanted to be anywhere but home. Year-end reviews. It was exhausting, and it didn’t have to be.

So over time, I set a few boundaries. We kept Christmas Eve for our little family only, no more gifts for the adults, and I let go of the holiday card that drained my energy.

Try This

Before you say yes to anything else today, pause and check in with yourself:

Is this manageable for me, or am I trying to meet an expectation that no one actually asked me to carry?

If it’s the latter, let it go or lower the bar. Things do not have to be perfect.

Give yourself one small kindness this week.
You deserve that.

Reflection Question: What’s one small step that would help you feel a little less stuck today?

✨ If this spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe to my blog or connect with me on LinkedIn. And if the pressure of December is starting to feel like too much, a Holiday Triage Session can give you support and clarity for the weeks ahead.