When Home Doesn't Feel Like Home

Gearing up for the holiday season can stir a wide range of emotions. Being around family is not always easy. It can feel like a tug and pull where part of you looks forward to being with the people who feel familiar and like home, yet another part feels unsettled because you know not all of you is welcomed there.

Sometimes it shows up as tightness in your chest or a racing heart. Other times it is the subtle jab disguised as humor that reminds you of an old wound still needing care. These moments are signals. They invite you to pause, breathe, and choose a response that honors who you are becoming rather than slipping into old patterns.

Whether you are traveling, hosting dinner, or staying home this season, remember that you are your best advocate. If something does not feel good, it is OK to honor yourself and say no.

When you feel tension rising, pause to take three steady breaths and let your feet press into the floor, then choose one small action that brings you back to yourself. Something else you can do, you can slow the moment by taking a gentle breath in through your nose and exhaling longer than you inhale, then give yourself a grounding touch like resting your hand on your chest or neck.