53. When the Holidays Don't Go How You'd Hoped

When the Holidays Don’t Go How You Hoped

The holiday season looks joyful on the outside… but for many women, it also brings up disappointment, tension, loneliness, old wounds, and emotions nobody else sees. If Thanksgiving didn’t go the way you hoped — or if the whole stretch from now through the New Year feels overwhelming — you are not alone.

In this tender, honest episode, Del explores why this season hits differently, why our expectations often collide with reality, and how to gently recover when the day (or the people) didn’t meet your heart’s needs. You’ll hear encouragement, a grounding faith reflection, and practical tools to help you move forward with clarity and care.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why holiday expectations often collide with real-life emotions

• How disappointment during this season is more common than you think

• Why old wounds resurface between Thanksgiving and New Year’s

• How to give yourself grace without minimizing your hurt

• Practical ways to emotionally reset the day after a hard holiday

• A grounding journal prompt to support your healing

Journal Prompt:

“What part of this holiday season is weighing on me — and what do I need to give myself permission to feel?”

Resources & Next Steps

• 💡 Grab your free guide: 26 Ruthlessly Intentional Tactics for 2026 — a simple, grounding resource to help you move through the rest of the season with clarity and peace. [HERE]

• 📖 Grab your copy of the Bounce Back Journal [HERE]

• ✨ Visit the Website to stay connected [HERE]