Trying a new detox before the holidays? Forget juice cleanses and grueling workouts; this holiday detox is about letting go of stress and creating space for joy, connection and peace. With to-do lists growing, overflowing social calendars and pending deadlines, here are seven things to let go of this season to focus on what truly matters.

Overcommitting

The holidays can become an endless cycle of commitments: Holiday parties, work potlucks, school events and family gatherings. Learn the power of saying no. The pressure to say “yes” to everything can leave you exhausted and resentful.

Take a moment to reflect on what truly matters to you. What events or tasks bring joy, and which ones feel like obligations? If you’re a list maker, jot down the things that drain your energy. Permit yourself to say “no” to what doesn’t align with your priorities. By doing so, you’re protecting your mental health and making room for experiences that genuinely enrich your season.

Perfection

Social media amplifies holiday stress by creating the need for a picture-perfect holiday. Images of beautifully decorated homes, gourmet feasts and curated family moments influence us. The pursuit of making everything social media worthy can turn a joyous time into a stressful one.

Challenge yourself to let go of the social media-worthy idea. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on what feels authentic and meaningful. The homemade pie might not turn out picture worthy, but the moments shared while baking it are what make it more important.

Consumerism

Consumerism emphasizes that one can achieve personal happiness and success through buying more. Buying more leads to spending beyond one’s ability and is often driven by advertising, societal norms and peer pressure.

Make a budget and stick to it. Shift your focus from material gifts to meaningful gestures, and give experiences instead of material items, such as a concert ticket or a spa day. Buy from local or small businesses to support their work. Create a DIY gift, such as crafts, a hot chocolate mix or baked cookies boxed with a heartfelt note. Finding meaningful ways to give presents can minimize the holiday stress and create joyful moments to remember.

Guilt

No family celebrations look the same. Each family has its own traditions, and that’s the beauty of the holidays. It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your traditions, decorations or gifts to others and feeling like you’re not doing enough.

Embrace the uniqueness of your celebrations. Whether your family’s tradition is a potluck dinner, a movie marathon or a low-key pasta night at home, don’t let the guilt of not doing enough take away your joy. Your holiday doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be meaningful. Letting go of the guilt enables you to enjoy your own version of the season with gratitude.

Neglecting self-care

Self-care often gets overlooked in the rush to meet everyone else’s needs. Skipped meals, late nights and back-to-back activities can deplete one physically and emotionally, adding to the holiday stress.

Make self-care a priority and schedule downtime. Take 10 minutes to sip tea, meditate or go on a walk. Nourish your body with healthy meals, stay hydrated and carve out time for movement or relaxation. Your well-being is the foundation for enjoying the holidays, so don’t hesitate to put yourself on your to-do list.

Doing it all yourself

The holidays often involve many tasks, including decorating, cooking, shopping, etc. Trying to do it all yourself can lead to burnout and diminish your enjoyment of the season.

Along with letting go of guilt and perfectionism, let go of trying to do it alone. Delegate where you can. Involve your family in decorating or cooking, or consider simplifying traditions that feel overwhelming. For example, instead of a seven-course meal, opt for a potluck. Simplifying doesn’t mean compromising but creates more space for connection and joy.

Postponing joy

We all anticipate the big day during the holidays and often forget to enjoy the moments that come during preparations. Slowing down to savor these moments can make the season more meaningful.

Look for small ways to experience joy every day. Light a candle and listen to your favorite holiday song, drive through a decorated neighborhood, write down your favorite moments of the day in a journal or call a loved one for a quick chat. These simple pleasures can help you stay grounded and present throughout the season.

The gift of letting go

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy, reflection and connection. You can reclaim the season’s true spirit by letting go of overcommitment, perfectionism, consumerism, comparison and the need to do it all.

Remember, letting go isn’t for the sake of doing less – it’s about doing what matters most to you and the people you love. The real magic of the holidays lies in the moments we create when we let go of what doesn’t serve us and take in the moments that bring us happiness.

This year, give yourself the gift of letting go. You might find that the less you hold on to, the more joy and peace you’ll discover.

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Shweta Gadhia is the creator behind Share the Spice, a food blog that shares flavorful vegetarian and vegan recipes with cultural influences from around the world. Drawing from her nutrition and public health background, she empowers you to confidently create wholesome recipes the family will enjoy.