“Women over 40 are entering the holidays carrying an invisible load, an emotional backpack that nobody sees.” - Leslie Duffy

The holidays hit differently when you’re a woman in midlife. You’re trying to keep work on track, manage family dynamics, support aging parents, show up for your kids, and hold everything together at home. Then the holiday season arrives with parties, more expectations, food triggers, social pressure, and a calendar that feels like it’s filling itself. It’s a lot, and most of us are already running on fumes before the season even begins.

What makes it even more challenging is that your body is changing at the same time that life is asking more of you. Shifting hormones make your stress response stronger, your sleep lighter, and your tolerance for chaos lower. Your nervous system is more sensitive, your energy isn’t as predictable, and the emotional labor you carry often goes unseen. So when the holidays layer gatherings, decisions, and obligations on top of that, even small stressors feel bigger. It’s not in your head. Your body is telling the truth.

Today, I’m walking you through a simple, three-step plan to help you move through the holiday season with less overwhelm. We’ll look at what actually worked last year, what didn’t, and how to decide ahead of time how you want to feel when January arrives. I’m also going to share practical grounding practices you can use, how to navigate tricky conversations, what to do when old patterns show up, and how to set boundaries that feel supportive instead of stressful.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear, doable roadmap for getting through the holidays feeling calmer, more centered, and more like the woman you want to be heading into the new year.

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Your Takeaways

Why midlife holidays feel overwhelming and how to reset expectations

Three reflection questions to filter what actually matters this season

The “hell yes” test for protecting your time, energy, and emotional bandwidth

Simple nervous system tools like the zip-up technique and intentional boundaries

How small, meaningful rituals create more joy than big plans or perfectionism

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Episode Resources

Grab your FREE Listener Guide at https://leslie-duffy-coaching.kit.com/ebe895d464

Check out the full show notes at https://leslieduffycoaching.com/17

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Connect with Leslie

Connect with me and learn more at LeslieDuffyCoaching.com (https://leslieduffycoaching.com/)

Send me a message and follow me on Instagram @LeslieDuffyCoaching (https://www.instagram.com/leslieduffycoaching/)

Watch the video version of this episode on YouTube @TheHormoneShiftShow (https://www.youtube.com/@TheHormoneShiftShow)

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