When the Holidays Hurt: Finding Peace, Presence, and Purpose Amid the Pressure

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The holidays can stir up more than joy — they can awaken grief, shame, exhaustion, and the voice of your inner critic. In this heartfelt episode, Vicki Gardiner shares gentle truths and practical steps for navigating loss, financial stress, and unrealistic expectations during the Christmas season.

If this year feels tender — if your heart aches, your budget’s tight, or your joy feels dim — this conversation will help you find sacred stillness, grounded peace, and new meaning in the middle of the mess.

You’ll learn:
✨ How to quiet your inner critic when she whispers “you’re not enough”
✨ What to do when grief or shame sneak into your holidays
✨ How to create a meaningful Christmas without spending more money
✨ Why slowing down may be the most spiritual act of the season

Vicki ends with a heartfelt Christmas prayer for weary souls and shares details about her upcoming 7-Day Inner Critic Reset — a grace-filled experience designed to help you rediscover peace and compassion heading into the new year.

Thanks so much for joining me today on Life of Joy & Purpose. If this episode spoke to you, I’d love for you to subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend who’s on the journey too.

You can connect with me on Instagram @_vickigardiner_. Sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with encouragement, practical tools, and soul-aligned inspiration for midlife women who are ready to live with clarity, joy, and purpose. Click here to sign up!

Until next time—take a deep breath, stay true to yourself, and remember: joy and purpose are already within you. You’re just uncovering it—one step at a time.

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