Sitemap
Stephanie King Mattingly

Stephanie King Mattingly

Stephanie is an author, speaker, media host, & entrepreneur with over 30 yrs. in media - news anchor, corporate spokesperson, video producer, & voice actor.

Why do we pretend everything’s fine during the holidays?

2 min readNov 10, 2025
Press enter or click to view image in full size

Ever been at the Thanksgiving table smiling politely while an old wound quietly flares up?
Me too.

It’s funny how just one comment, a memory, or even an aroma can stir up something you thought was long gone.

For years, I’d hold my breath and call that peace, but it was more like pressure, not an occasion for joy.

Here’s what I wrote in The Secret You Hide Holds You Back:
“Hiding secrets feels like carrying a heavy load. It’s constant worry and the stress of guarding your words. It’s a weight that holds down your truth.”

That’s why I created The Letting Go Method. It’s built around three simple steps that help you stay grounded, even when family emotions rise.

➡️Spot It: Notice what’s really being triggered. What was the pain from the past?

Get Stephanie King Mattingly’s stories in your inbox

Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.

➡️️️Silence It: Quiet the secret shame and lies by bringing yourself back to the present. Breathe and remember you’ve changed. Believe what is true of you now.

➡️Stop It: Let go of those upsetting thoughts and resume control of your emotions.

That’s not to say the issue should never be addressed.
But for this occasion, you can choose, on your terms, to let everyone enjoy the holiday without disruption and let go with confidence.

Say to your instigator or to your memories, “Not this year. Not this holiday.”

If you don’t learn to let go, the secret will keep replaying, year after year, at the same table, with the same pain.

You honored your growth. You stayed steady and that’s a win worth celebrating.

Buy The Secret You Hide Holds You Back: How Letting Go Sweetens Life & Makes You Free.
It’s available now on Amazon. https://amazon.com/dp/B0FWDPXFQ5

Come join the growing community on my book page, The Secret You Hide Holds You Back.

It’s all about living a life that lets go.

--

--

Stephanie King Mattingly
Stephanie King Mattingly

Written by Stephanie King Mattingly

0 followers

Stephanie is an author, speaker, media host, & entrepreneur with over 30 yrs. in media - news anchor, corporate spokesperson, video producer, & voice actor.