The holidays don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful — here’s how to release the pressure and enjoy the season 💫 On this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle, we’re diving into holiday stress, perfectionism, boundaries, and the real reason so many of us feel overwhelmed this time of year. With 62% of people reporting elevated holiday stress, this conversation will help you slow down, stay grounded, and make space for joy and presence. Whether you’re navigating family expectations, food triggers, financial pressure, or the urge to “do it all,” this episode offers practical guidance on creating a holiday season that feels peaceful and true to you. ✨ What We Talk About How to release holiday perfectionism and find meaning in what’s real—not what’s flawless.The art of saying no and the freedom that comes with not overextending yourself.Checking in with your emotions: A simple practice for asking, “What do I desire and need this season?”Setting boundaries without guilt so you can protect your peace and energy.Navigating triggers & pressure:Barb opens up about food triggers and social overwhelm as a recovering bulimic.Michelle shares tools for managing financial stress and releasing unrealistic expectations.If you’ve ever felt anxious, stretched too thin, or disappointed by the holidays, this episode is your reminder: You’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to choose peace. You’re allowed to make this season meaningful in your own way. 📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros is out now! A powerful 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace. 👉 Order your copy: https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg 💛 Episode Topics Saying No to Social Pressure — Navigating invitations from friends, family, and coworkers with confidence and compassionManaging Financial Stress — Rethinking gift-giving, events, and the cost of “holiday expectations”Handling Food Triggers — Staying grounded amid pressure to overindulgeAvoiding Overextension — Setting healthy boundaries to protect your energy and well-beingLetting Go of Perfectionism — Releasing the need to do it all and redefining what a meaningful holiday looks like💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one. 📅 Subscribe & Join Us Next Tuesday for another heartfelt episode of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle! 💕 Today’s Episode Sponsors: 💕Washington Red Raspberries Washington Red Raspberries are a clean, simple, and seriously delicious way to add more nutrition to your day. • They’re American grown, picked at peak ripeness, and frozen within hours to lock in nutrients like fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. And they have no added sugar—just fruit, as nature intended. Each serving is an excellent source of fiber (21% daily value) , high in antioxidant Vitamin C (30% daily value), low natural sugar, and a good source of folate. You can grab your own bag of fresh, delicious, and locally grown raspberries at the following retailers: Costco, Kroger, Meijer, and WinCo Foods Look for “Product of the U.S.” on the bag. Want to discover new ways to use American frozen red raspberries and get more details on where you can grab a bag of these delicious berries? ✨ Go to redrazz.org 💕Wayfair Wayfair is here to help with any last-minute gifts, decor emergencies, and final touches to make your space feel merry and cozy. From bedding and linens to decor for every room in the house—Wayfair’s your one-stop shop. We’ve been updating our own spaces with Wayfair and love their wide selection, affordable prices, and free, easy delivery. From small touches to complete room makeovers, they have everything you need to create a home that feels just right. ✨ Start browsing and get inspired at Wayfair.com 🎙️ Host by: https://www.instagram.com/peaceful_barb/https://www.instagram.com/michellemaros/Join our community⬇️ YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LifeHappensThePodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappensthepodcast/ Substack: https://lifehappensthepodcast.substack.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappensthepodcast Listen to our podcast anywhere→ https://michellemaros.com/podcast/ 🎙️ New episodes of Life Happens with Barb and Michelle are released every Tuesday ✨ Available Now✨ Order Dear Friend to receive daily doses of clarity, hope, and heartfelt encouragement.💌 https://amzn.to/3Us9eqg Our Sponsors: * Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code LIFEHAPPENS20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
