Family time: how not to ruin your own vacation ⬇️

Not everybody has nice memories of their childhood. And not all families are ready to respect the kid’s boundaries.

Picture this: you’re crying in the bathroom, spiraling with anxiety, and convincing yourself you’ve made no progress in your child trauma therapy sessions. But let’s be real—it’s *so easy* to feel this way by day two or three with family if you’ve had a long history of conflict. So, let’s prepare for the chaos, shall we?

Here’s how to keep it together:

- Tension is inevitable: Someone will say something that sets you off (you know it’s coming). Decide now how you’ll blow off steam—a power walk, venting to a friend over brunch, or hiding in the sauna like a pro.

- Find your safe zone: Your childhood bedroom, the bathroom, or even the garage can be your sanctuary. Escape there to breathe before you snap.

- Cut yourself some slack: Feeling angry or frustrated doesn’t mean you’re failing. A few years ago, you couldn’t even make it through a single dinner. If you only unravel by day two or three, that’s actually huge progress!

And here’s the kicker: You don’t *have* to spend the holidays with family. But if you choose to, remind yourself—they probably did the best they could with what they had. (And so are you.)

What’s your go-to coping strategy for family holidays?

#FamilyTime #HolidayDrama #HolidaySurvivalGuide #KeepItTogether #FamilyDynamics #HolidayStress #BoundariesMatter #SelfCareHacks #ProgressNotPerfection #MindfulHolidays #HealingJourney #EmotionalWellness

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