When Holidays Trigger Old Wounds: Finding Peace in a Season That Stirs Up More Than Joy

The holiday season can be beautiful, but it can also awaken memories, expectations, and emotional triggers we didn’t ask for. In this honest and deeply grounding episode, Coach Gigi explores why the holidays often stir old wounds, how emotional labor takes a toll on the mind and body, and how to stay centered when stress, disappointment, or pressure tries to steal your peace.

You’ll hear a vulnerable personal story about carrying the weight of Christmas for years — cooking, hosting, giving, showing up — while feeling unseen, overwhelmed, and emotionally stretched thin. You’ll learn why your nervous system reacts the way it does during stressful seasons, how trauma memories show up, and how to hold space for yourself while still honoring God and your healing journey.

This episode blends biblical wisdom, mental health insight, grounding techniques, guided reflection, and prayer to help you move through the holidays with honesty, rest, and grace.

Topics in this episode:

• Why holidays trigger emotional and spiritual memories

• The weight of invisible labor during high-pressure seasons

• Feeling unseen, unappreciated, or emotionally overloaded

• How trauma responses show up in the body

• What biblical peace looks like under pressure

• Grounding practices for real-time overwhelm

• Reflection questions to deepen emotional clarity

• A prayer for protection, comfort, and holiday peace

• Safety + support resources

FOCUS: Faith & Mental Health, Inc.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting women, children, and families through trauma-informed care, mental health education, and community programs.

Support the mission or donate at:

👉 https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com

Amazon Wish List for our Year-Round Fill-A-Backpack Initiative:

👉 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/19CEUZIY3WJ6X?ref_=wl_share

Books by Geleta “Gigi” Parker on Amazon:

• Beautifully Broken

👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL1D2RZK

• Catch & Release: Seeds of Deception

👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJLZ7F1P

• My Body Is God’s Gift

👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D37NPDX1

• Jesus, Lover of My Soul: Helping Women Worship Through Grief

👉 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D4S6V1HS

Safety Resources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

Music Credit:

Be Still and Know That I Am God

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker.

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by DaBarry Thompson.

WHEN LOVE MEETS BLIND SPOTS

Season 4, Episode 1

Home for the Holidays Series

As we enter this Home for the Holidays season, we’re stepping into a conversation many hearts whisper about but rarely name aloud. What do we do when someone we love cannot see what we clearly see? How do we honor God, protect our peace, and navigate relationships marked by blind spots, wounded communication, or unhealed survival patterns?

In this episode, Coach Gigi gently unpacks the emotional and spiritual weight of trying to love someone who misinterprets your intentions, misunderstands your heart, or reacts from their own hidden wounds. You’ll learn how the Word speaks to spiritual blindness, how psychology explains emotional misalignment, and how you can anchor yourself in truth without losing your identity or your sanity.

This is an episode filled with compassion, clarity, and wisdom. Whether you’re navigating marriage, parenting, family dynamics, or friendships, this message will help you breathe, reset, and reclaim your focus as you move through the holidays with grace and strength.

Visit the website:

https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com/

Explore Gigi’s books:

“My Body Is God’s Gift” https://a.co/d/4Yz2yYS

“Jesus Lover of My Soul” https://a.co/d/0Y8r55n

“Beautifully Broken” https://a.co/d/6XSYxbH

“Catch & Release: Seeds of Deception” https://a.co/d/cPMYwW9

Support Fill-A-Backpack and fight food insecurity:

Amazon Holiday List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1O3XFK6DKQ72L?ref_=wl_share

Background music:

“Be Still and Know”

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by Debary Thompson

If you are experiencing domestic violence and need help:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Text START to 88788

Chat: https://www.thehotline.org/

THE BENEDICTION OF SHALOM

Season 3 Finale

As we close the Shalom Season, take a deep breath and settle into the truth that God restores the pieces we thought were gone forever. In this final episode, Coach Gigi speaks a blessing over your mind, your home, your nervous system, and your future. This is a benediction of peace that reaches into the places you’ve survived and gently leads you toward the wholeness you’re becoming.

You’ll reflect, breathe, release, and receive. This is your invitation to step out of survival mode and back into the steady rhythm of God’s love. May this benediction carry you into a new season with strength, clarity, and rest.

Visit the website:

https://focusfaithmentalhealth.com/

Support Fill-A-Backpack and help fight food insecurity:

Amazon Holiday Food List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1O3XFK6DKQ72L?ref_=wl_share

Explore Gigi’s books:

“My Body Is God’s Gift” https://a.co/d/4Yz2yYS

“Jesus Lover of My Soul” https://a.co/d/0Y8r55n

“Beautifully Broken” https://a.co/d/6XSYxbH

“Catch & Release: Seeds of Deception” https://a.co/d/cPMYwW9

Listen to the podcast anytime by saying:

“Alexa, play Faith and Focus A Moment for Your Mind podcast.”

If you are experiencing domestic violence and need help:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Text START to 88788

Chat: https://www.thehotline.org/

Background music:

“Be Still and Know”

Written and composed by Geleta “Gigi” Parker

Arrangement and piano accompaniment by Debary Thompson