Choosing Yourself This Holiday Season

11/25- Written by: Shadena Natty

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, yet for many, it can also bring stress, exhaustion, and emotional strain. In my work as a therapist, I often remind clients that one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself is the ability to set healthy boundaries. This may mean limiting the number of gatherings you attend, protecting your personal downtime, or gently stepping away from conversations that leave you depleted. Above all, it’s important to remember, it’s okay to choose yourself. You have the right to define what happiness looks like for your holidays, on your own terms.

Saying no is another critical act of self-preservation. Declining an invitation or stepping back from traditions that no longer serve you doesn’t make you unkind or ungrateful, it makes you human. By giving yourself permission to honor your own needs, you create space for reflection, rest, and experiences that genuinely bring you peace. Choosing yourself in these moments is not selfish, it’s a deliberate, therapeutic act that allows you to move through the season with integrity and emotional balance.

Equally important is the practice of self-care. The holidays can be overwhelming, and neglecting your emotional, mental, or physical well-being only amplifies that stress. Simple, intentional practices, such as a quiet morning walk, journaling, connecting with supportive people, or even brief moments of solitude, can be profoundly restorative. Choosing yourself through self-care empowers you to engage in the season from a place of clarity and resilience, rather than obligation or fatigue.

Finally, it’s essential to acknowledge that the holidays often bring grief and loss to the surface. Missing loved ones, reflecting on difficult experiences, or simply feeling the weight of a challenging year is normal and valid. There is strength in allowing yourself to sit with these emotions, whether through quiet reflection, rituals of remembrance, or stepping back from celebrations that feel overwhelming.

The holidays do not need to be perfect, they need to be authentic. By choosing yourself, honoring your truth, and making space for your emotions, you reclaim your power and, ultimately, define the happiness that this season holds for you.