How To Manage Holiday Blues?

Holiday lights can be dazzling and heavy at the same time. We talk honestly about why the season often intensifies anxiety, grief, and loneliness—and how to trade perfection for presence without giving up what makes this time meaningful. Anne Chester, LCSW, shares grounded, compassionate tools drawn from years of therapy work with women navigating midlife, trauma, and life transitions across Texas.

We unpack the hidden drivers of holiday distress: “should statements” that set unreachable standards, idealized expectations that depend on other people’s cooperation, and the shame spiral that follows when reality doesn’t comply. Anne explains the anxiety loop in plain language and offers a step-by-step journaling practice to separate your desires from others’ demands. You’ll hear practical scripts for tense conversations—especially around politics or unsolicited advice—plus simple exit strategies that protect your energy without starting a fight.

Grief gets room at the table too. From infertility heartache to missing a beloved grandparent, we explore rituals that honor loss and reconnect you to purpose: lighting a candle, using a family heirloom, volunteering, or writing a brief tribute. We also look at perfectionism’s sneaky role in “manufacturing memories” and how to pivot toward authentic connection with small, sensory moments—warm mugs, shared laughter, and undistracted eye contact. If you’ve been craving a holiday that feels real instead of photo-ready, this conversation offers a calm, manageable path.

If the themes here resonate and you’re in Texas, book a free 15-minute consultation with Anne. Follow the show, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find these tools. May you see with mercy, respond with wisdom, and stay grounded in peace.

To learn more about Anne Chester™, LCSW Counseling visit:
https://www.AnneChester.com
Anne Chester™, LCSW Counseling
122 River Oaks Drive
Southlake, Texas 76092
817-939-7884