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.