Should You Go… or Sit This One Out? Navigating Family Gatherings Without Losing Yourself

If you’re wrestling with the choice to go to the family event or finally opt out of the chaos, this episode is for you.

Today we explore how to decide whether you should go, skip it, or do things differently this year.

You’ll hear questions, reflections, and practical guidance to help you get honest about what you’re walking into, what it will cost you emotionally, and what you actually want or need.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The real cost of going

What usually happens when you show up?

Why do the same dynamics keep repeating?

And why does it take days to recover afterward?

• How to see the situation clearly

Who are you showing up for really?

What are the unrealistic hopes that keep you stuck in the same toxic loops?

How to get honest about what usually happens, without minimizing or sugarcoating it.

• Understanding your own triggers

Why certain people hit your deepest buttons

How old wounds get activated

And how that plays into the dread and emotional overwhelm you feel

• How to protect your peace if you do decide to go

Setting clear intentions for yourself

Showing up in a more detached, grounded way

Not engaging with the people who drain you

Choosing arrival and exit strategies that support you

Honouring your own bottom line

• The “third option” we don’t talk about enough

It’s not only:

pretend everything’s fine and keep performing…or

cut everyone off and keep your distance.

There’s also the thoughtful middle path: deciding how to engage on your own terms.

If you’re struggling with family expectations or difficult in-law dynamics, this episode will help you:

• see the situation more clearly
• get honest about what’s actually happening and what you need to be okay
• understand your emotional reactions
• protect your peace
• choose a path that honours your wellbeing and your desire for connection
• 
  

Want some extra support?

If you want my help sorting out your specific situation—whether to stay, go, or set a plan for navigating it differently—you can reach out any time.

📧 Email: [e-mail]

📷 Instagram: @with.love.april

If this episode resonates, please share it with someone who might need it this holiday season.

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Please note:

This show is not a replacement for therapy, assessment, treatment or diagnosis. This show is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. See your physician, counsellor or local crisis support centre if needed

All identifying details about the people and the stories shared here are removed to protect confidentiality.