337: Holiday Emotional Challenges- 3 Ways to Prepare Yourself for Tricky Situations + Difficult People

Holiday gatherings can be joyful, but they can also stir up anxiety, conflict, or emotional pain—especially with complicated relationships or unresolved family history. In this episode, learn how to prepare your heart and mind before stepping into challenging holiday situations so you can show up with peace, strength, and wisdom. Discover three biblical and practical tools that protect your emotional wellbeing during the holidays: healthy boundaries, emotional fitness, and the A.D.D. method for processing emotions with God. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: [01:00] Why Your Responsibility Isn’t to Fix People—But to Show Up Healthy [04:00] Tool #1: Healthy Boundaries — Your First Line of Emotional Protection [14:00] Tool #2: Emotional Fitness — Taking Responsibility for Your Thoughts [17:00] What Does It Mean to “Get Off the Mat” and Take Action? [19:00] How to Decide What Thoughts You Will Let “Land” [21:00] When Are We Creating Our Own Drama or Overreacting? [23:30] When Victim Thinking Keeps Us Stuck [28:00] Tool #3: The A.D.D. Method — Acknowledge, Discern, Decide [33:00] Using A.D.D. Proactively or After an Emotional Trigger  2026 SAN DIEGO BEACH RETREAT: Join Alicia in Feb 2026 in San Diego for this all-inclusive, 5-day experience for Christian women seeking deep soul rest at the beach (virtual options available).  RELATED EPISODES: Boundary + Responsibility Episodes Ep. 327 — Is It Time to Set a Boundary? My Favorite Tool to Set Boundaries in a Loving Way Ep. 326 — A People Pleaser’s Guide to Setting Boundaries (When You’re Afraid to Offend Others) Ep. 282 — Emotional Responsibility: How to Stop Owning Other People’s Feelings Emotional Fitness Episodes Ep. 304 — Get Off the Mat + What Thoughts Will You Let Land? Ep. 305 — Procrastination, Complaining, Victim Thinking A.D.D. Emotional Processing Episodes Ep. 286 — Emotional Confidence Through Holiday Stress Ep. 277–279 — A.D.D. Breakdown Series Ep. 204 — 6 Questions to Ask When Emotions Feel Overwhelming Send us Fan Mail