10/12/2025
☃️This time of year brings joy, but in my counselling clinic I also notice something else: stress and pressure.
🎁The pressure to buy the perfect gift, visit every Christmas market, or attend every event is huge, and it often triggers two things:
✨ FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
✨ People-pleasing (the need to make everyone happy)
How to recognise them:
🔹 FOMO looks like:
• Overbooking yourself
• Checking what others are doing online
• Feeling anxious or guilty when you say no
• Thinking “I should be doing more…”
🔹 People-pleasing looks like:
• Saying “yes” when you’re already drained
• Buying gifts out of obligation
• Feeling responsible for everyone’s happiness
• Feeling guilty when you prioritise yourself
And an important reminder for this season:
🎄Quality is more important than quantity.
Not every event creates connection , some simply drain your time, energy, and joy.
Just because something is happening doesn’t mean it’s worth attending.
You’re allowed to slow down.
You’re allowed to choose what truly matters to you.
You’re allowed to rest.
Be gentle with yourself , it might be the most meaningful gift you give this Christmas. ❄️❄️
Agree to Disagree EEO