Are the holidays leaving you feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or stuck in a loop of "here we go again"?

In this episode of The Framework, we strip away the marketing and the "fat guy in a red suit" to explore why Christmas is often the most difficult time of year for so many. We dive deep into a core psychological truth: It is not the event itself that causes disturbance, but rather the meaning we assign to that event. Whether you are a parent trying to "replicate the magic," someone navigating the holidays after a divorce, or a professional feeling the weight of social obligations, you might be suffering because you are playing by rules written by someone else.

In this episode, you will learn how to:

• Scrutinize the "rules" and "shoulds": Understand how family traditions and social expectations can disempower you and lead to intense stress.
• Identify your "Affirmative Why": Discover how to become the "author and architect" of your own reasons for celebrating, ensuring they align with your authentic values.
• Step out of the Victim Mentality: Learn to take a step back, breathe, and realize you have the power to change your perspective and your response in a single moment.
• Manage "Activations" in Real-Time: Use the tools of The Framework to identify when you are being triggered and take responsibility for your reactions instead of projecting them onto others.
• The "Fail Fast" Mentality: Learn why recognizing a mistake or a negative thought in the moment allows you to make a slight adjustment and move forward without guilt.

The holidays don’t have to be a recipe for depression or negative self-talk. By choosing to focus on your highest order values—whether that is family, service, or simply creating new traditions—you can navigate this season with peace and intentionality.

Take the next step in your mental health journey. If you find yourself struggling to bridge the gap between your values and your daily experience, it’s time to build a personal framework that works for you.

Stop operating under someone else's "why" and start standing in your own truth. Let’s work together to identify your triggers, scrutinize your assigned meanings, and help you gain the faith in yourself needed to navigate any season of life..

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Analogy for Understanding: Think of your mental health like a GPS system during the holidays. Most people are driving with "factory settings"—the rules and meanings installed by their parents or society.

When you hit the "traffic" of holiday stress, the GPS starts shouting "shoulds" and "oughts," leading you into a loop of frustration. Scheduling an appointment is like reprogramming your own coordinates; it allows you to set a destination based on your own values so that even when you hit a detour, you know exactly why you’re on the road and how to get where you want to go.