The holiday season can be overwhelming for women leaders, who often juggle year-end work deadlines, holiday preparations, and family obligations. This episode explores how women can navigate the holiday hustle by learning to set boundaries, say no gracefully, and focus on self-care. Discover actionable strategies for protecting your energy, avoiding holiday burnout, and delegating tasks effectively. We’ll also discuss how embracing boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s the key to thriving during the busiest time of the year. Whether you’re a professional balancing your career or a leader managing a team, this episode offers insights to help you manage holiday stress, prioritize what truly matters, and enter the new year feeling empowered and refreshed.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Holiday Hustle Dilemma

• Why the holiday season feels overwhelming for high-achieving women.


• Societal pressures to “be everything for everyone” during this time.

The Cost of Overcommitment

• How saying yes to everything leads to stress, burnout, and resentment.


• Why setting boundaries is essential for mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

The Gift of Boundaries

• Practical strategies for gracefully declining requests or invitations.


• Saying No Without Guilt: The mindset shift from “letting people down” to prioritizing what truly matters.

Prioritizing Self-Care During the Holidays

• Why self-care is non-negotiable 


• Simple yet effective ways to carve out time for yourself amidst the chaos.

Key Takeaways:

•  "No is a Complete Sentence": The ability to say no firmly and respectfully is a leadership superpower.


• Protect Your Energy: Prioritizing your well-being is not selfish; it’s necessary to thrive.


• Empower yourself and others: You don’t have to do everything yourself to make things perfect.


• Focus on Joy: Reserve your energy for the people, moments, and tasks that truly bring you happiness.

Actionable Steps:

• Audit Your Holiday Commitments: Write down all the tasks and events you’ve committed to. Assess which ones align with your values and bring you joy, and let go of the rest.


• Practice Saying No: Use phrases like, “I appreciate the invitation, but I can’t commit this time,” or, “I’d love to help, but I’m fully booked right now.”


• Set Clear Boundaries: Decide how much time and energy you’re willing to give to holiday obligations, and stick to it.


• Schedule Self-Care: Add moments for yourself to your calendar, just like you would a meeting or event.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• AFROA Beauty – Darine’s skincare brand focused on natural ingredients and holistic wellness.

Connect with Darine:

- On Instagram

- On LinkedIn

- Visit her website

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