How To Handle The Holidays (Full Episode)

Rule 101 of meeting someone’s family the first time: you ALWAYS ask if the family needs help in the kitchen/help setting the table/cleaning up.

Thanks for being honest Alex because this is needed for so many of us.

I have never liked November and December. Too much hustle and lost meaning of what's important. I'm glad I'm not alone ❤

It’s very difficult for people who are missing loved ones. It was always fun for our family but slightly depressing once my Grandma passed away. Now that my parents aren’t here it’s really hard. And then add on hosting people and unappreciative in-laws it just gets hard. I’m glad I’m not alone.

I'm 66, and I'm over it. Going out for Thanksgiving, because we're down to three people, and I'm opting out of the cooking and cleaning stress. Christmas is enough.

📖 Holiday Reality Check and Expectations (00:00 - 02:03) ├─ 00:00 Holiday Season Approaches with Excitement ├─ 00:44 Yearly Reality Check Around Holiday Season └─ 01:18 Disappointment in Holiday Expectations 📖 Holiday Season Can Be Disorienting and Difficult (02:03 - 03:28) ├─ 02:03 Holiday Season Can Be Disorienting and Depressing └─ 02:42 Holiday Stress and Cozy Reminders 📖 Holiday Stress and Unrealistic Expectations (03:28 - 05:42) ├─ 03:28 Holiday Stress and Unrealistic Expectations ├─ 04:15 Overcoming Holiday Family Stress and Expectations └─ 04:53 Disappointing Family Holiday Expectations 📖 Navigating Holiday Expectations and Disappointment (05:42 - 07:26) └─ 05:42 Holiday Expectations vs Reality 📖 Managing Holiday Expectations and Triggers (07:26 - 08:53) ├─ 07:26 Managing Holiday Expectations and Triggers └─ 08:11 Managing Stress in Challenging Family Situations 📖 Preparing for Holiday Family Trauma (08:53 - 10:34) ├─ 08:53 Preparing for Holiday Family Trauma └─ 09:52 Social Media Misrepresents Holiday Happiness 📖 Holiday Stress and Enjoying Life (10:34 - 12:38) ├─ 10:34 Holiday Season Reminders and Self Care ├─ 11:02 Podcast Discussion and Q&A Session └─ 11:47 Uber Eats Delivery Convenience Service 📖 Making a Good Impression at Partner's Family (12:38 - 14:21) ├─ 12:38 Uber Eats Grocery and Essentials Delivery └─ 13:25 Holiday Spending with Partner Advice 📖 Making a Good First Impression at Thanksgiving (14:21 - 15:58) ├─ 14:21 Making a Good First Impression at Thanksgiving └─ 15:03 Gift Ideas for Hosting Thanksgiving 📖 Finding Middle Ground on Thanksgiving (15:58 - 17:24) ├─ 15:58 Advice on Expressing Gratitude ├─ 16:21 Finding Middle Ground in Relationships └─ 16:47 Thanksgiving Dress Code Discussion 📖 Family Gathering Etiquette Advice for Partners (17:24 - 19:22) ├─ 17:24 Conversation Tips for Meeting the Boyfriend's Family ├─ 17:59 Family Gathering Advice and Expectations └─ 18:39 Family Gathering Advice and Boundaries 📖 Navigating In-Laws and Family Dynamics (19:22 - 21:01) ├─ 19:22 Warning Signs in Dysfunctional Family Relationships └─ 20:09 Social Dynamics in Family Gatherings 📖 Effective Communication with Narcissists (21:01 - 22:29) ├─ 21:01 Conversation Techniques for Building Connections └─ 21:46 Narcissistic Personality Traits in Relationships 📖 Resolving Family Conflict Over Holiday Hosting (22:29 - 24:53) ├─ 22:29 Relationship Advice and Marriage Expectations ├─ 23:23 Family Christmas Traditions Conflict ├─ 23:53 Family Dynamics and Hosting Conflicts └─ 24:20 Holiday Scheduling Conflict Discussion 📖 Communicating with Spouse about Family Traditions (24:53 - 26:20) ├─ 24:53 Communicating with Husband about Family Traditions ├─ 25:22 Discussing Family Christmas Traditions Fairly └─ 25:48 Discussing Christmas Plans with Family 📖 Navigating Blended Family Holiday Traditions (26:20 - 27:58) ├─ 26:20 Changing Family Dynamics and Relationships └─ 26:59 Coordinating Holidays with In-Laws and Family 📖 Lauren's Fun Girls Trip to Napa (27:58 - 30:30) ├─ 27:58 Lauren's Fun Weekend Getaway in Napa ├─ 28:43 Romantic Getaway at Vineyard Estate └─ 29:13 Overcoming Family Pressure and Self-Doubt 📖 Regressing to Childhood with Family (30:30 - 32:00) ├─ 30:30 Holiday Comparison and Feeling Behind └─ 31:27 Regressing to Childhood Behavior with Family 📖 Sibling Comparison and Insecurity Discussion (32:00 - 33:55) ├─ 32:00 Comparing Life to Siblings is Normal ├─ 32:43 Sibling Relationships and Competitive Dynamics └─ 33:09 Comparing Siblings in Family Dynamics 📖 Handling Sibling Teasing and Gift Disappointment (33:55 - 35:35) ├─ 33:55 Holiday Humor and Relationship Avoidance └─ 34:36 Discussing Gift-Giving Issues in Relationships 📖 Relationship Communication and Gift Giving (35:35 - 37:15) ├─ 35:35 Romantic Gesture with Handcrafted Eiffel Tower ├─ 36:07 Awkward Gift Exchange Misunderstanding └─ 36:44 Gift Giving Habits and Relationship Dynamics 📖 Gift Giving for Women is Not That Hard (37:15 - 39:31) ├─ 37:15 Gift Ideas for Women Made Easy └─ 38:24 Relationship Expectations and Gift Giving 📖 Gift Giving Struggles in Relationships (39:31 - 40:54) ├─ 39:31 Gift Giving Advice and Personal Experience └─ 40:09 Sharing Gift Ideas with Partner 📖 Holiday Party Fashion with Old Navy (40:54 - 42:43) ├─ 40:54 Holiday Party Fashion and Gift Ideas └─ 41:49 Old Navy Special Occasion Clothing Review 📖 Holiday Party Tips with White Claw (42:43 - 44:37) ├─ 42:43 Holiday Party Essentials with White Claw └─ 43:43 Holiday Breakup Advice and Decision 📖 Breaking Up During the Holidays (44:37 - 46:12) ├─ 44:37 Breaking Up Around the Holidays └─ 45:38 Disappointing New Year's Breakup Plans 📖 The Dark Side of Holiday Romance (46:12 - 47:53) ├─ 46:12 Holiday Breakups and Family Reactions └─ 47:07 Romantic Christmas Scene with Kristoff 📖 Breaking Up During the Holidays Advice (47:53 - 49:34) ├─ 47:53 Moving On from a Toxic Relationship └─ 48:51 Breaking Up During Holidays Excuses Debunked 📖 Breaking Up During the Holiday Season (49:34 - 51:30) ├─ 49:34 Manipulative Breakup Tactics and Trust Issues └─ 50:30 Argumentative Monologue About Toxic Relationship 📖 Managing Holiday Expectations and Loneliness (51:30 - 53:16) ├─ 51:30 Holiday Pressure and Unrealistic Expectations ├─ 52:20 Spending Holidays Alone by Choice or Circumstance └─ 52:47 Avoid Social Media During Difficult Times 📖 Self-Care During the Holiday Season (53:16 - 55:29) ├─ 53:16 Self-Care During the Holidays ├─ 53:58 Self Care During Holiday Break └─ 54:33 Holiday Season Reflection and Encouragement

Appreciate the honest and life hacks for the holiday rush coming so bless Alex!

I LOVE waking up, driving to work on a Sunday morning & seeing your Sunday Ep! Love! Love! Love! 💗 Day made!

LOVE the advice to not be on phone and not be pressured to post. I think that’s the key.

I really appreciate this Alex. I do find the holidays particularly difficult and get upset when I see people who are able to spend the whole time with their family and have traditions going for years. I just don’t have that.