The Holiday Gift You Actually Need: Permission to Say No

I was talking to my sister recently about the holiday overwhelm when something struck me: we working moms are carrying an Olympic-level mental load at baseline, and then the holidays arrive like an avalanche of additional tasks.

Just last week, I found myself stressed about gifts, schedules, parties, and coordinating dog/ childcare over the holiday break (on top of juggling ER shifts filled with the extra angst of the season for everyone involved!). 

Sound familiar? That’s when it hit me – sometimes, we’re doing this to ourselves.

And at times, I have to question WHY?!

Remember, part of the work over the last few weeks is to stop worrying about what other people think of you, and to be kind and compassionate to yourself, especially when your priorities don’t complete match up with the “shoulds” of the people around you.

It’s ok to NOT do any or all of the above. For example, I just decided a long time ago that I am not sending holiday cards because of the effort involved. Poof! A lot of time and effort reclaimed. 

And it’s also ok to delegate the things that you don’t want to do (even when you know they won’t be done like you would do it). 

Let’s be real: there are two sides to the holiday stress coin – the ENERGY required (mental, emotional, physical) and the TIME needed. Today, I want to focus on giving you back your TIME through the simple but powerful art of saying NO.

I was recently revisiting the Power of No guide that I posted awhile back; I started looking at how could I give you some easy wins in your busy day, whether it’s holiday season or not.

This guide came out of a culmination of events where I wished I had said NO and sooner (both at work and home, both big a small: i.e. wishing I hadn’t taken a certain administrative job and also wishing a giant toddler wasn’t sitting on my lap every dinner). I needed a stronger NO.

Bottom line: you deserve some easy wins this holiday season.

WINS= time back in your pocket= time to do what you want (should you choose to take it– P.S. I recommend you do!)

I’m hoping some of these might help jump start your NO game when someone asks for your time.

Let me share some of my favorite “no” scripts that I’ve collected from successful working moms, executives, and my own experience. These aren’t just phrases – they’re keys to unlocking your time:

What happens when you master these “no” scripts?

– You get to be present at family dinner instead of mentally planning tomorrow’s meetings

– Your weekends become actual recovery time, not catch-up time

– You stop feeling guilty about protecting your calendar

– You finally have space to focus on YOUR goals and dreams

These aren’t just scripts – they’re permission to protect what matters most to you. 

Every ‘no’ to something that drains you is a ‘yes’ to what fills you up.

Remember: Your time is the one resource you can never get back. Let’s make 2025 the year you finally spend it on what matters most to YOU.

As we approach 2025, imagine a year where you’re not just surviving but thriving. Where your time and energy are invested in what truly matters to you. Where you’ve stopped worrying about what others think and started focusing on what you want.

Ready to make this vision reality?

I’m opening 5 spots in my signature coaching program starting January 2025, specifically designed for working moms who are ready to:

– Master the art of productive boundaries

– Transform their relationship with time

– Stop living by others’ expectations

– Create space for what truly matters

Book a free 30-minute call and receive:

– A personalized time audit assessment ($150 value)

– Early access to 2025 coaching spots

-A walk-through of how strengthening your NO will give you TIME and freedom back.

→ Click here to schedule your call

P.S. Still feeling guilty about saying no? Remember this: that Olympic-level mental load you’re carrying? It’s optional. Let’s work together to lighten it. Your future self (and your family) will thank you for taking this step today.