As the holidays approach, many women find themselves walking on eggshells — carefully managing other people’s emotions to avoid conflict, guilt, or drama. In this episode, Isabelle explores why “offense” can become a subtle control mechanism in relationships, and why being willing to disappoint someone (kindly) can actually create more honesty, trust, and intimacy.
You’ll learn how to stop living under the “tyranny of the tantrum,” how to tell the truth without over-explaining, and how to set simple holiday boundaries that protect your peace.
What You’ll Learn
- Why you can’t feel close to someone you can’t be honest with
- How offense can function as a control tool (even unintentionally)
- The difference between integrity and “keeping the peace”
- A holiday-ready mindset for saying no without collapsing into guilt
- Simple boundary scripts you can use immediately
Holiday Boundary Scripts Mentioned
- “We’re staying home this year.”
- “We need to head out by 7 — bedtime.”
- “That doesn’t work for our family.”
Journal Prompts
- What do I avoid saying because I fear someone’s reaction?
- What boundary am I ready to set this season?
- Can I care more about what I think of me than what others think of me?
