The final week of holiday shopping can feel overwhelming, especially for moms carrying the mental load of gifts, schedules, budgets, and expectations. In this episode of the Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series, Licensed Therapist and Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman explores the emotional pressure behind money, gift-giving, and the belief that we have to “go big” to show love during the holidays.

Through personal reflection, humor, and real-life examples, Vanessa unpacks why holiday financial stress and comparison hit so hard, how gift guilt sneaks in quietly, and why generosity doesn’t have to mean overspending or overextending yourself. This episode offers permission to simplify, redefine what “enough” looks like, and spread care throughout the year, not just on one day.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

• Why the last week of holiday shopping increases overwhelm and mom mental load
• How gift-giving pressure becomes tied to love, worth, and expectations
• Vanessa’s personal approach to holiday gifts and why it works for her family
• Lessons from the Netflix movie Roofman and the “more is better” trap
• Why generosity isn’t always about money, and how time and presence matter

TUNE IN TO LEARN

• Why feeling behind during the holidays doesn’t mean you are behind
• How “go big or go home” thinking fuels stress, comparison, and overspending
• Ways moms can simplify holiday expectations without guilt
• How to reduce financial stress during the holidays
• Why support for moms doesn’t have to wait until the new year

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
This episode isn’t about doing the holidays right - it’s about easing the pressure so many moms carry quietly. If you’re still shopping, you’re not behind. If your gifts look simpler this year, your love isn’t smaller. And if this season feels heavier than expected, there’s a reason... you’ve been carrying a lot.

As we move through this final stretch, we’re invited to slow down, let go of comparison, and remember that generosity can be sustainable. And sometimes, the most meaningful gift we give ourselves is support. Listen in, and remember... you’re always free to be mindful.

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Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.