The holiday season can make grief feel sharper and loneliness feel heavier — even when you’re surrounded by celebration. In this gentle, grounding episode, Dr. Katie Stahler explores what it means to hold space for loss, longing, and mixed emotions during a time that often expects joy.

We’ll talk about: ✨ Why grief intensifies during the holidays ✨ The nervous system’s response to loss and emotional overwhelm ✨ How to honor the people or chapters you’re missing ✨ Simple rituals of remembrance and quiet connection ✨ What to say (and not say) when supporting someone grieving ✨ Ways to care for yourself through emotional waves

This episode is a reminder that your grief is not a burden — it’s evidence of love.

You don’t have to force cheer or hide your sadness. You’re allowed to feel however you feel this season.

Missing someone means they mattered.

The holidays tend to bring out old roles, unspoken expectations, and pressure to keep everyone happy — even at the expense of your own wellbeing. In this episode, Dr. Katie Stahler explores why boundaries feel harder this time of year and how to hold them with clarity, compassion, and nervous-system awareness.

We’ll cover: ✨ Why holiday guilt doesn’t mean your boundary is wrong — just new ✨ How childhood roles resurface in adult dynamics ✨ Scripts for saying no to events, traditions, and uncomfortable conversations ✨ How to protect your energy when others push back ✨ Grounding techniques to support you before and after family gatherings

This is your reminder that you’re not responsible for managing everyone’s emotions.

Your needs matter too and you’re allowed to create a holiday season that doesn’t drain you.

The holidays are often portrayed as joyful, magical, and full of connection — but real life is far more complicated. In this episode, Dr. Katie Stahler unpacks the emotional pressure to “be merry,” even when your body and mind are telling a different story.

We’ll talk about: ✨ How toxic positivity shows up during the holidays ✨ Why forced joy exhausts the nervous system ✨ The importance of emotional honesty (even in small ways) ✨ Permission to hold mixed emotions — grief, gratitude, joy, frustration ✨ Nervous system signs you’re masking distress ✨ Simple practices to return to yourself when the season feels heavy

This episode is a gentle reminder that you don’t have to perform joy to deserve belonging. You’re allowed to show up as you are — complicated emotions and all.

Because you don’t have to be merry to be meaningful.