Managing Holiday Triggers With Grace
The Real Reason the Holidays Pull Up Old Pain
Holiday triggers should honestly come with their own jingle — they show up everywhere. A smell, a family comment, a memory, a song, a tradition… suddenly you’re right back in an old emotional place you thought you’d healed from.
And here’s the twist:
You didn’t “mess up” if something triggered you.
Your nervous system simply recognized something familiar.
The holiday season is often a sensory time — there’s more noise, more expectations, more gatherings, more emotional energy in the air. All of that overstimulation can make your heart feel exposed and raw, especially if you grew up with family dysfunction, emotional neglect, or traditions tied to stress.
But triggers aren’t setbacks — they’re signals.
A trigger is your heart saying:
“Something still needs your attention. I’m trying to protect you.”
Here’s how to respond with gentleness and strength:
✨ Pause before reacting
Give your body 5–10 seconds to breathe and settle.
✨ Notice what story you’re telling yourself
Is it the present speaking… or the past?
✨ Ask yourself two grounding questions:
What is this emotion trying to show me?
What do I need in this moment to feel safe?
✨ Offer yourself compassion instead of criticism
You don’t need to be “over it” to be healing. Healing is a process, not a deadline.
✨ Create micro-boundaries
Take a bathroom break, step outside, excuse yourself from a conversation — small moves make a big difference.
Every trigger that surfaces is an invitation to understand yourself more deeply. This season, treat your emotions like honored guests, not intruders.
If you feel triggered easily during the holidays, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate it without support. Let’s walk through your patterns together and build emotional tools that help you feel grounded. Schedule a session with me and let’s create more safety for your heart.
Book your free discovery call HERE or visit www.resilientheartscoaching.com
Want more encouragement like this? [Join my email list by subscribing to my blog below]
With love and grace,
Misty
✨Get your free Heart-Healing Checklist at the link below:
✨ Not ready to book? Then reach out and say hi on Instagram. Let’s talk, heart to heart.