Key points

Despite careful planning, holidays can be disappointing.

Controversial conversations, negative self-comparisons, and criticism can all generate leftover feelings.

Exploring those feelings can help us reduce future holidays stress.

We often spend weeks figuring out where we will spend Thanksgiving, who we will celebrate with, and what to eat. In the days leading up to the event, we scramble to keep up with our daily obligations while preparing food, decorating, and traveling. The day itself often flies by, leaving us exhausted and hopefully content. But the day after the holiday can be a letdown. If we enjoyed the festivities, we have to wait another year to repeat the event. When things don’t go well, we grapple with disappointment or other complex feelings.

Typically, the

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