Episode 3

Prepping for the Holidays Q&A Part 1: Stop Shoulding All Over Yourself

The holidays are coming, and Sara and Lacey are getting real about what that actually means. In Part 1 of our holiday Q&A series, we're ditching the picture-perfect expectations and talking about the mindset shifts that can help you navigate the season. From gift-giving pressure to the artifice of forced traditions, we're covering authenticity, boundaries, and why "should" is a four-letter word. Plus, Lacey shares the infamous bath mat story.

What We Cover:

  • Lacey does the three steps of Joyful Support (Story, Joy, Step)
  • Why the holidays carry so many "shoulds" and how to let them go
  • The difference between things you look forward to vs. things you do out of obligation
  • Creating a three-column framework: What do you love? What do you enjoy? What are your shoulds?
  • How authenticity matters more than going through the motions
  • Gift-giving stress and why deadlines can kill the joy
  • The bath mat incident (and other tales of practical vs. romantic gifts)
  • Being honest with yourself and others about what brings you actual joy
  • Why the person orchestrating the holidays deserves to feel joy too

Resources:

Get the FREE Holiday Intentions Activity at https://joyfulsupportmovement.com/pages/holidayintentions

Join The Village community at village.joyfulsupportmovement.com

Subscribe to The Practical Hug newsletter at joyfulsupportmovement.substack.com

Coming Next Week:

Part 2 of our holiday Q&A series where we dive into specific questions about decorating, cooking, gatherings, and more. Get ready to make this season work for YOU, not against you.

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About the Podcast

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No Shame in Our Game
Where Self-Help Meets Community Support

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About your hosts

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Sara Kelly

Sara runs Your Aligned Home as a Home Management Consultant. Translation- let's get your home running smoother so you have time for the things you love!
Her combination of optimizing systems, a compassionate ear, and the desire to help others led her to this work.
Although she helps with all things inside the home, any free time is spent outside the home. She usually has dirt under her nails and a hat on her head ready to be outdoors.
Don't ask this gal for perfection, that is not her jam. She is in it to spark joy one home at a time and let the goodness ripple from there!
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Lacey Tomlinson

Lacey Tomlinson transforms life's messiest moments into meaningful connections. As a mother, entrepreneur, and chronic illness advocate, she founded the Joyful Support Movement after her own health journey forced her to rebuild her life authentically. Through podcasts, courses, and community building, Lacey helps others navigate their "messy middle" without shame or perfection, because she believes everyone deserves genuine support. Her philosophy? "Life's better when we stop pretending and just embrace the plot." With master's degrees in Communication and Instructional Design, she combines professional expertise with raw human experience to create spaces where vulnerability is celebrated, authentic stories are shared, and people find the support they need.