As a kid, I remember Christmas morning at my parents’ house always being chaotic. Before 20 odd relatives would arrive for lunch, there’d be frenzied cooking, cleaning, and rushing about—will there be enough food? Is so-and-so bringing their partner?
Like many families, mine were doing their best to navigate the expectations that come with the holidays. It’s supposed to be a time of joy and happiness; the most wonderful time of the year. Everything needs to be perfect. Everyone needs to get along.
Yet placing this kind of pressure on the festivities often only sets us up to fail. After all, has trying to manufacture happiness ever actually made anyone feel good? And it’s in no small part why Christmas is one of the most common times of year for couples to break up.
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