The family gathering is coming.

And your nervous system already knows it.

You feel the tug to shrink, perform, or manage everyone’s mood—before you’ve even walked in the door.

You’re not alone. I’ve seen this moment play out over and over for my clients. They’re steady, insightful people who’ve done so much work—but when it comes to family, they get pulled back into old patterns.

• The fixer.
• The peacekeeper.
• The one who smooths tension, softens opinions, and makes sure no one gets too uncomfortable.

But what if this Easter, you tried something new?

Let It Go: The Reaction You Don’t Have to Have

Here’s the tip I want to offer you:
Let it go. Experiment with doing less.

That doesn’t mean you ignore everything or shut down.

It means you don’t automatically react.

You don’t fill the space to keep things nice.

You don’t twist yourself into old shapes just to make others more comfortable.

Instead, you pause.

You notice what’s happening in your body.
The urge to fix, explain, smooth.
The heat in your chest, the tension in your jaw, the swirl in your belly.

And you stay with it.
You breathe.
You let the moment move through without you jumping in to shape it.
This is not passive. This is power.

What Might Shift

When you let go of the old pattern—even just for one moment—you give your nervous system a new experience.
You create space.
And from that space, something different can emerge.

Maybe someone else steps up.
Maybe things get awkward, and you realize it’s survivable.
Maybe you feel your own power and groundedness in a whole new way.

Try This:

• Before the gathering, set the intention: “I don’t need to fix anything today.” 
• When you feel the urge to manage, pause and ask: “What am I feeling in my body right now?”
• Breathe into that sensation.
• Stay. Don’t react. Watch what happens.
• That’s it. That’s the practice.

Final Thought: You’re Allowed to Be Different Now

You don’t have to perform who you used to be.

You don’t have to prove you’ve grown.

You can just be. Calm, steady, and rooted in something deeper than old roles.

Let Easter be an experiment in letting go. Of the pattern. Of the pressure. Of the performance.

With Steadiness, 

Carolyn 

P.S. I’m here to help…

If family gatherings stir up old nervous system patterns, you’re not alone. I work with clients every week to shift these deep relational imprints.

If you’re ready for support, let’s talk about what you need.

Click here to book a free 30-minute consultation.