Lexapro, Wine, & Feeling Just Fine: How to Enjoy This Holiday Season Without Losing Your Sh*t.

Let’s face it, ladies—holiday stress hits different after 40.

If your holiday “to do” list looks anything like mine, you’re already thinking about the stress of shopping for the perfect gifts, decorating the house like Martha Stewart, and planning instagram-worthy gatherings - all while trying to balance work, family and extracurricular commitments. Oh, did I mention that you were supposed to create ALL of this holiday magic while looking amazing, wearing the perfect outfit and squeezing in workouts and healthy dinners?

HO. HO. Freaking Ho.

Unfortunately, although this is the time of the year that should be filled with joy, many women over 40, including myself, find themselves stressed, overwhelmed and down right exhausted.

But this year, let’s flip the script. It’s time to trade perfection for presence, chaos for calm, and stress for sanity.

It’s time to trade perfection for presence, chaos for calm, and stress for sanity. Here’s how to actually enjoy the holiday season without losing your sh*t.

First of all disclaimer: I am NOT a doctor, you should NOT take medical advice from me and that I am NOT in any way, shape or form advocating for you to self- medicate this holiday season.

But, if you’ve embraced the fact that you need a little Lexapro in your life much like myself, there’s certainly no judgment here. Wash it down with a glass of wine and take a few minutes to ponder my ideas on how to make this holiday season a little less crazy and a lot more joyful.

1. Step Away from the Picture-Perfect Holiday

I’m all about creating a beautiful and memorable holiday for my family, but sometimes you just have to let go of unrealistic expectations. That Pinterest board with perfectly frosted sugar cookies and a tree that looks straight out of a Pottery Barn catalog?

Delete it.

Real life isn’t a Hallmark movie, and that’s okay. Instead, embrace the mess, the laughter, and the imperfection.

Stacey’s Tips on Keeping it Real this Holiday Season:

Instead of worrying about baking the perfect sugar cookies or decorating an award-winning gingerbread house, try doing something that is meaningful for your family’s heritage, no matter how imperfect or un-instagram worthy it is.

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Every year, we have a tradition of making holiday strombolis in my family. Three generations of Italian American women - myself, my mother and my daughter- spend time in the kitchen together rolling out dough, making a complete mess, laughing, and arguing over who remembers the correct recipe! Of course, there’s wine and lots of taste-testing! It’s definitely not instagram worthy, but it sure is a ton of fun, and we are making amazing family memories along the way!”

2. Take Time for Yourself (and Get That Holiday Glow Up)

I know it seems impossible to find time for yourself - especially this busy time of the year, but let’s get one thing straight: self-care isn’t selfish, especially during the holidays. And while a hot bath or yoga session can work wonders, why not treat yourself to something extra this season?

Stacey’s Recommendation for the Best Holiday Glow-Up

If you haven’t checked out the area’s best med-spa professionals at The Rejuvenation Center in Wheeling, WV, now is the perfect time to go get your holiday glow-up! From skin rejuvenation treatments to a little Botox refresh (because yes, fewer wrinkles are a vibe), the team at the Rejuvenation Center can help you look and feel radiant while you tackle that holiday to-do list. If you are curious about Botox as an option to get your holiday glow back, check out my recent blog post on the Pros and Cons of Botox that will answer all your questions!

Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post where I sit down with the amazing staff at the Rejuvenation Center to spill all the tea on how to treat yourself this season—whether it’s their amazing hydro-facial and dermaplaning or a confidence-boosting treatment to start the new year glowing.

Stacey’s Sneak Peak: Self Care from the Inside Out with Wellness Coach, Jessica Johnston

Because beauty starts from the inside out, I’m thrilled to announce an upcoming feature on Wellness Coach Jessica Johnston, founder of Together We Battle Podcast, who’ll be sharing her simple daily habits to reduce stress and bring more joy into your life. From mindful moments to small changes that pack a big punch, Jessica’s tips are the holiday survival guide we didn’t know we needed .

Keep an eye out for these blogs in the weeks to come—you won’t want to miss them!

I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Jess and talk about the power of saying NO this holiday season - check it out here in her most recent podcast episode! Which leads me to the third way to NOT lose your sh*t this holiday season…..

3. Say No to Overcommitment

Remember when we thought “yes” was the magic word? Hard pass. If the idea of attending yet another white elephant gift exchange makes you want to crawl under your weighted blanket, just say no. A simple, “Thanks for thinking of me, but I can’t make it this time” will suffice.

In fact, I committed to NOT overcommitting in my recent blog post, NO-vember. Instead, I am focusing on attending those holiday gatherings that bring me the most joy with my friends and family, like our recent “Friendsgiving” with my bootcamp buddies pictured here!

Not sure how to bow out gracefully? Send a thoughtful token instead - like that sweet bottle of wine you probably wouldn’t drink anyway.

4. Make It About Connection, Not Perfection

Forget the 17-step charcuterie board and focus on who’s around your table instead. Whether it’s ordering pizza or making a big pot of chili, the people matter more than the presentation.

Keep entertaining stress-free by planning ahead, ordering catering or simply having a holiday pot luck with your friends.

5. Pour a Glass of Whatever Makes You Happy

Whether it’s a good Cabernet, a festive mocktail, or, a venti-sized coffee, take a moment to toast to making it through another year. And while you’re at it, try one of my favorite lightened up holiday cocktails:

“Lightened Up Cranberry Moscow Mule”

• Fill Moscow Mule cup with ice,

• 1.5 shots of vodka (I like Tito’s)

• A squeeze a lime juice

• Fill cup 3/4 up with zero sugar ginger beer

• Add a splash of 5 calorie Oceanspray Cranberry juice

Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and fresh cranberries

And Finally, Let Go of the Guilt.

Didn’t send out holiday cards this year? Fine. Neither will I. Bought store-bought cookies for the bake sale? Awesome. Skipped the gym to marathon cheesy holiday movies? Good for you. Let’s normalize not doing it all and enjoying what matters most: the people we love and the memories we make.

This holiday season, let’s trade the overwhelm for joy, the stress for laughter, and the chaos for calm. It’s time to keep it real, keep it simple, and keep yourself at the top of your own list. Because after all, if you’re not enjoying the season, what’s the point?

Ready to survive (and actually thrive) this holiday season? Let’s do it, ladies. One glass of wine and one Amazon delivery at a time.

Cheers to not losing our Sh*t!

Stacey C