Letting Go of Holiday Pressure: Choosing Connection Over Perfection

Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to create the “perfect” holiday—when no one is actually asking for perfection?

In this warm and relatable episode of Her Unshakeable Confidence, Simone and Olivia Knego unpack the expectations, traditions, and stress tied to the holiday season, exploring why we often force ourselves into routines that don’t bring joy and how to confidently choose what works for you.

With humor, honesty, and stories ranging from Thanksgiving chaos to delayed flights and the unexpected kindness of strangers, they highlight the deeper truth that the holidays are about presence, connection, and compassion—not performance. This conversation is a reminder that confidence grows when you release perfection, redefine your traditions, trust your choices, and let small moments of kindness guide how you show up for yourself and others.


✅ Actionable Takeaways

• Release the pressure to create a “perfect” holiday—choose what genuinely brings joy.
  
  
• Redefine traditions to match your life now, not what you think they should be.
  
  
• Practice kindness in small, everyday moments—your presence matters more than presents.
  
  
• Acknowledge people around you; simple gestures can deeply impact someone’s day.
  
  
• Trust yourself to make decisions that support your well-being and confidence.
  
  
• Use your voice—don’t wait for others to validate your choices.
  
  

📖 Chapters

00:00 – Holiday Pressure and Unrealistic Expectations
03:12 – What Tradition Really Means
07:48 – Why Your “Perfect” Holiday Doesn’t Have to Look Like Anyone Else’s
12:24 – Black Friday, Changes, and the Evolution of Traditions
16:56 – Everyday Kindness: Small Moments That Matter
21:10 – Giving Presence Instead of Performing Perfection
24:08 – Connection, Compassion, and Confidence
26:35 – Trusting Yourself: A Core Part of Confidence
27:26 – Closing Thoughts: You Are Unshakeable


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👉 Connect with Olivia Knego:

• Instagram: @oliviaknego
• LinkedIn: .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}