Soul Sustenance: Avoiding People-Pleasing and Perfectionism During the Holidays

Holidays are notorious for delivering a large dose of stress, but perfectionists and people-pleasers often get hit the hardest. Family celebrations, holiday obligations and expectations naturally crank up the volume on these traits, leading us into swirls of activity that create even more stress.  

So if you want to get through this holiday season with less stress and more cheer, make a commitment to keep your own inner people-pleaser or perfectionist in check!

Here are some tips for avoiding the temptation to do it all, so that both you and your loved ones can actually take in some of the joy of the season: 

1) Make your commitment in writing

2) Share your plan with family and friends and enlist their help

3) Cut back on your to-do list

4) Make friends with saying “no” and with the idea of less-than-perfect

5) Get ready to talk back to your inner-critic

For more tips on managing the holidays stress-free, book an interview with Stephanie Manes, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience and training in Individual, Couples and Family Therapy.