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Snow blanketed the small village of Frostfield, casting a magical glow over its cottages, cobblestone streets, and twinkling fairy lights. Inside her cozy office, nestled between the bakery and the florist, counsellor Clara Snowfield adjusted a festive garland on her desk. Her therapy room smelled faintly of cinnamon and pine, and a tiny Christmas tree adorned the corner. But her thoughts were far from festive.
Sitting across from her was Max, a 32-year-old graphic designer who had been battling anxiety for years. Max slouched in his chair, pulling at the sleeves of his oversized sweater. "I just don’t get it, Clara. Everyone’s so happy at Christmas, but I feel like I’m barely keeping it together. I’m overwhelmed—shopping, work deadlines, family expectations. Even just choosing the right wrapping paper makes my heart race!’
Clara nodded, her warm eyes shining with understanding. "It sounds like the weight of Christmas has turned into a bit of a sleigh-load for you." She grinned.
Max chuckled despite himself. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."
"Let’s unwrap this a little," Clara said. "What’s at the core of all this anxiety? What are you telling yourself about Christmas?"
Max paused, thinking. "That I have to make everyone happy. I have to get the perfect gifts, be cheerful all the time, and make my parents proud."
Clara leaned forward. "Hmm, that’s quite a list. Do you think Santa manages all of that himself, or does he have a team?"
"Well, there are the elves..." Max admitted, smiling faintly.
"Exactly," Clara said. "Even Santa delegates. The pressure you’re feeling might come from trying to play too many roles. What would happen if you gave yourself permission to be imperfect this Christmas?"
Max frowned. "I don’t know. It’s hard to imagine. What if people get disappointed?"
Clara handed him a notepad and pen. "Let’s try an exercise. Write down everything you think has to happen this Christmas to meet your expectations."
Max scribbled furiously, his pen scratching the paper. After a few minutes, he held up the list:
Buy perfect gifts for everyone. Make time for all family members. Don’t seem anxious or upset. Keep the house spotless for guests. Work overtime to afford everything. Clara glanced at the list. "That’s a lot to carry, Max. If we were wrapping this list as a present, it would need extra tape and a forklift."
Max laughed again.
"Now," Clara continued, "let’s look at this list and ask: which of these expectations come from you, and which come from others?"
Max hesitated. "I guess... most of them are self-imposed. My parents probably don’t care about perfect gifts. And my sister always says she just wants time together, not stuff."
Clara smiled. "Exactly. Anxiety often tricks us into creating a mental checklist that no one else sees. But the beauty of Christmas is connection, not perfection."
They spent the next 20 minutes creating a new list, one rooted in kindness to himself:
Choose simple, meaningful gifts. Spend quality time with loved ones. Allow space for imperfection. Take breaks to rest and recharge. As Max tucked the new list into his pocket, he looked lighter somehow, as if the weight of the season had started to lift.
"Thanks, Clara," he said. "I’ll try to focus on what really matters this year. And maybe even... enjoy it?"
Clara smiled. "That sounds like a Christmas miracle in the making." On Christmas Eve, Max sent Clara an email
"Hi Clara, Just wanted to say thanks for everything. I simplified my shopping, took a walk instead of working overtime, and even let my sister host Christmas dinner. Guess what? No one cared about the wrapping paper. Merry Christmas, Max."
Clara leaned back in her chair, her heart warm. For all her clients, she knew that small changes could snowball into something magical, just like snowflakes gathering to make a perfect Christmas morning.
She glanced at her own to-do list, smiled, and crossed off “Make everything perfect.” Instead, she wrote: “Enjoy the moments that matter.” And for the first time in years, Clara’s Christmas felt truly merry and bright.
The End.
The Counsellor’s Christmas Gift: A Tale of Reflection and Growth.
The festive season is often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and cheer. But for many, it’s a season that can bring stress, overwhelm, and feelings of inadequacy. These challenges inspired the fictional story of Clara, a compassionate counsellor, and Max, her client navigating the weight of Christmas pressures.
While Clara and Max’s story is fictional, it reflects real challenges that many people face during the holidays—and the role counselling can play in helping individuals manage these struggles.
Finding Support Through Counselling.
In the story, Max feels the strain of juggling work deadlines, family expectations, and the pressure to create a "perfect" Christmas. These feelings of anxiety and overwhelm are all too common, especially during the festive season. Counselling provides a space to untangle these emotions, explore self-imposed expectations, and find healthier ways to cope.
Through her gentle, understanding approach, Clara helps Max identify the root of his anxiety: his belief that he must make everyone happy. She uses simple tools, like list-making and reflection, to help Max shift his perspective. Instead of striving for perfection, Max begins focusing on what truly matters—connection and kindness, both to himself and others.
Counselling isn’t about offering quick fixes or perfect solutions. It’s about creating a safe, supportive space to explore what’s going on beneath the surface and to develop tools that align with your values and needs.
Counsellors Are Human Too.
One of the key takeaways from Clara’s story is that counsellors, too, must practice self-care and reflection. As helpers, counsellors are often drawn to supporting others, but this can sometimes come at the cost of their own wellbeing.
In the story, Clara receives an email from Max, thanking her for the changes he’s made. This moment prompts her to pause and look at her own to-do list. By crossing off "Make everything perfect" and replacing it with "Enjoy the moments that matter," Clara gives herself permission to embrace imperfection and focus on what brings her joy.
For counsellors, this kind of reflection is crucial. Without it, the risk of burnout increases, particularly during busy or emotionally charged seasons. Counselling others is deeply rewarding but also emotionally demanding, and it’s essential for counsellors to prioritize their own mental health to continue supporting others effectively.
How Counselling Can Help You.
Whether it’s the festive season or another time of year, counselling offers:
A Safe Space to Talk: You can share your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment.
Tools for Managing Stress: Together, you and your counsellor can develop practical strategies to reduce anxiety and cope with challenges.
Personal Growth: Counselling helps you understand yourself better, build self-compassion, and align your actions with your values.
Permission to Be Imperfect: Letting go of unrealistic expectations can bring a sense of relief and freedom.
A Gentle Reminder.
The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also bring challenges that feel heavier than a sleigh-load of gifts. Whether you’re feeling the pressure of the season or dealing with other life struggles, counselling can help you find clarity, relief, and a renewed sense of balance.
And remember—whether you’re a counsellor or not, it’s okay to pause, reflect, and embrace imperfection. Sometimes, the greatest gift we can give ourselves is permission to simply be.
If you’d like to explore how counselling could help you navigate life’s challenges, I’d be honoured to support you. Let’s unwrap what truly matters, together.
Note: Clara and Max’s story is fictional and created to highlight how counselling can help with holiday stress.
