59. The Red Pen Christmas: How to Stop Editing Yourself for Everyone Else

If you’ve already cried in a shopping centre car park — you’re not alone.

In this raw and funny ADHD Mums Christmas episode, Jane breaks down why the season feels like an emotional Olympics for neurodivergent parents — and how to stop performing and start protecting your energy.

This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing less on purpose.

Using the ‘Red Pen’ approach, Jane shows how to cross out what doesn’t deserve you, protect your peace, and rebuild your energy budget before the season eats you alive.

What You’ll Hear

• Why Christmas feels like a group project where no one else is helping
• The emotional cost of being the peacekeeper and why it’s not sustainable
• Understanding ‘energy accounting’ — how much each task, event, and expectation actually costs your nervous system
• Why saying no is a nervous system upgrade, not a moral failure
• Scripts for setting boundaries at Christmas without guilt or drama
• How to tell the difference between peacekeeping and real inner peace
• The myth of the ‘perfect Christmas mum’ — and how to reclaim joy by doing less

This Episode Is For You If…

• You’re already dreading the family group chat.
• You’ve promised yourself a “simple” Christmas before… and still ended up crying in the pantry.
• You’re trying to keep everyone happy — and losing yourself in the process.
• You want a calmer, more meaningful holiday season without the guilt.

Key Takeaway

You don’t need another list — you need a red pen.

Peace doesn’t come from keeping everyone calm.

It comes from choosing what actually deserves your energy.

🧠 Resources Mentioned

• The ADHD Mums Festive Bucket List — A workbook to help you cross out everything that doesn’t serve you this Christmas.
•  🆓 Free Resource: Energy Accounting Guide (Free Download) — Learn how to track your daily energy budget and stop overspending it.
• Overwhelm & Busy Seasons Kit — Your practical toolkit for surviving December without burning out.
• ✨ Sign up for: The Xmas Festive F*ck List — A workbook to help you cross out everything that doesn’t serve you this Christmas.

Related ADHD Mums Episodes

• 🎧 Christmas Chaos: Hacks for Surviving Family Drama, Sensory Overload, and Picky Eaters!
• 🎧 Stop People-Pleasing: The ADHD Mum’s Guide to Boundaries, Balance, and Breaking Free
• 🎧 How to Handle Family Criticism About ADHD: Boundaries and Keeping Your Sanity

Listen Now

🎧 Spotify | Apple Podcasts | ADHDMums.com.au

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