The holidays are supposed to be joyful…

So why do so many of us end them exhausted, overextended, and quietly judging ourselves?

In this episode, host Michael Dargie is joined by Loreen Wales and Dr. Prerana Rudrapatna for a grounded, refreshingly human conversation about what actually creates holiday stress—and how to move through the season without white-knuckling it.

This isn't about rigid rules, skipping the food you love, or pretending stress doesn't exist. It's about values, boundaries, self-compassion, and planning just enough so the holidays don't run you.

If the season tends to feel like it happens to you instead of with you, this episode is your reset.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why holiday stress isn't just "in your head" — and why perceived stress still counts

• A simple values-first question that instantly clarifies what deserves your energy

• How overcommitting quietly creates guilt, frustration, and burnout

• Why the holidays feel like they disappear — and how a plan on a calendar changes that

• The "closet" metaphor: what happens when we avoid decisions instead of making them

• How to approach food and alcohol without restriction or regret (choose what's worth it)

• One powerful reframe that turns "I blew it" into useful data instead of self-judgment

• Why self-compassion might be the most underrated holiday survival skill

Key moments worth jumping to:

• 00:01:37 "Do I need to be stressed about the holidays?"

• 00:05:43 What stress really is — and why perception drives the experience

• 00:07:00 Values over expectations: deciding what actually matters to you

• 00:09:35 Why planning reduces stress instead of killing spontaneity

• 00:10:37 Guilt, shame, and the emotional hangover after the holidays

• 00:12:25 The "closet" metaphor (and why avoidance makes everything heavier)

• 00:14:54 Scheduling self-care like it's non-negotiable

• 00:16:05 Boundaries around food and drink that don't feel restrictive

• 00:21:59 The mindset shift: outcomes as data, not failure

A reminder worth keeping:

You don't need a "perfect" holiday.

You need a clear plan, aligned values, and a little kindness toward yourself.

Learn more:

• https://discover.myviva.com