FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️: LOW STRESS, HIGH JOY HOLIDAYS - PART 3

In this episode of FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️, I share the benefits of releasing perfectionism during the holiday season. Don’t worry, I’m also sharing 3 strategies to help you do it!

When you release the pressure to make everything "just right," you open space for joy. 

Listen to the entire LOW STRESS, HIGH JOY HOLIDAYS series for nuggets that help you tap into the holiday vibes you want to create for who you are NOW - here in midlife and beyond!

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My Made For Midlife & Beyond Holiday Planner is available to help you prioritize self-care and simplify the holidays, all while letting go of limiting beliefs. Get it for free at https://karli-newman.myflodesk.com/holiday-planner-2024

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Want to immerse in the FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️ community? Head to my website flipsideofmidlife.com where you can sign up for free emails you want to receive, become a member of ELEVATE, attend events, and work with me one-on-one.

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Transcript

FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️: LOW STRESS, HIGH JOY HOLIDAYS - PART 3

Hello to you, my friend. It's me, Karli. I'm back with part three of my LOW STRESS, HIGH JOY HOLIDAYS series. Listen to the entire series for nuggets that help you tap into the holiday vibes you want to create for who you are now, here in midlife and beyond. 

I have a question for you to kick off this episode. How does perfect block your joy during the holiday season? 

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You guessed it, my friend. This episode of FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️ is about perfectionism. 

Many of us in midlife and beyond arrive here with unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others. Our visions of how things ‘should be’ have been holding us back and eating away at our souls for years.

This holiday season is the right time to create awareness of your perfectionist tendencies and practice releasing them. When you do, joy expands to fill that space. That sounds pretty good, right? 

Here are a few benefits you experience when you leave perfectionism behind. 

First, you'll feel more connected. When you stop striving for perfection, you create space for what really matters - connection.

Think about it. When you're not worrying about every detail being just right, you can be present with your loved ones. You're not preoccupied with making sure everything looks flawless or goes exactly as you planned it to go.

Instead, you're focused on the people around you, the moments you share, and the memories you make. 

All of this leads to the benefit of feeling less stress. All of us can sign up for that one, right? 

Perfectionism adds a layer of anxiety into the mix that makes it hard to enjoy the moment. It's a pressure that builds inside of you. And when you release it, a shift naturally happens. Your focus changes. You feel more calm. You have space to notice the positive details. 

You also experience more freedom to be your authentic self. There's no ideal to live up to. Perfection does not exist, my friend. When you let go of those limiting beliefs, you can be who you are, a beautifully imperfect human being. 

When you release perfectionism, the door opens for you to scrap the traditions that no longer match who you are and create new ones that do. You can change how you celebrate or skip it altogether if that's what feels right. What feels best to you? 

Letting go of perfect allows you to see possibilities that you could not see before. 

Another benefit of letting go of perfectionism is rediscovering joy in the little things. When you're not caught up in making everything flawless, you have space to notice the simple moments that create happiness. 

Think of the smell of cookies baking. The sound of laughter during a family game. Or the feeling of coziness when you're curled up in your favorite spot after a holiday gathering. 

Perfectionism blinds you to the little joys because you're focused on the end result. An end result that's probably unrealistic. Let go to see the little moments that make the holiday season special. 

These are the moments that fill you up and remind you of what's truly meaningful. They're imperfect, spontaneous, and often unplanned, but they're the ones you remember long after the holidays are over. 

Feel ready to enjoy those benefits, my friend? Here are three strategies to release perfect so you can experience more joy. Not only during this holiday season but year-round, too. 

First, prioritize what's most important. 

Allow me to gently say this, you are not expected to do it all, my friend. Release yourself from those feelings. 

Instead, determine the three things that will bring you the most joy during the season. How can you find a way to prioritize those things? Simplify your priorities to relieve the pressure you place on yourself. 

Another strategy is to embrace ‘good enough.’ 

When you find yourself taking too long on a task or trying to make something just right, aim for charmingly imperfect instead. Remember the priorities you set and move on.

If you catch yourself stepping in to change something you've already walked away from, think of your newfound good enough perspective. A joyful holiday season for you and those you care about does not depend on perfect. 

The third strategy I want to mention today is to practice self-compassion. 

As you shift your mindset, many opportunities will come forward where you can be kind to yourself. Laugh at the mishaps. Do your best and keep going. Things will not go as planned 100 percent of the time. 

In those moments, show yourself the same grace and understanding you'd give to a good friend. 

Release the urge to be and create perfect this holiday season, my friend. When you do, you open space for joy to rush in. 

As always, I'm here cheering you on as you travel your journey of personal growth. I love to hear your thoughts and experiences, so please reach out at karli@flipsideofmidlife.com. 

My Made for Midlife and Beyond Holiday Planner is available to help you prioritize self-care and simplify the holidays, all while letting go of limiting beliefs. Get it for free at the link in the show notes or transcript. 

Thanks for listening to this episode of FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️. I'm Karli Newman and it is my calling to help women like you tap into your positive mindset and inner expertise to see and seize the possibilities around you. 

You don't have to travel this journey of midlife and beyond alone! The FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️ is where you connect more deeply with yourself and other positive, kind, and fun women who understand. 

Want to be part of this community? Head to flipsideofmidlife.com where you can sign up for free emails you want to receive, become a member of ELEVATE, attend events, and work with me one-on-one. 

I'll be back soon with another episode to inspire and guide you to whole-life wellness in midlife and beyond. Please share FLIPSIDE OF MIDLIFE™️ with other women by subscribing, following, rating, or writing a quick review. I'm so grateful when you do. 

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