"The holidays can come with a lot of expectations. Beyond finding the perfect gifts for the people on your list and digging out grandma's secret cookie recipe, there is also pressure to express seasonal joy in a particular way. We're supposed to want a full calendar of holiday parties, big family gatherings, and endless opportunities to mingle. We're expected to stay late, be chatty, participate in group games, and make small talk with distant relatives."
"Most personality psychologists agree that the best way to understand yourself is to know where you fall on the Big Five personality traits: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness. You can think of your Big Five personality traits like sliders on a soundboard, each one set at its own level, creating the unique "mix" that explains patterns in how you think and behave."
Holiday expectations often assume everyone thrives on frequent parties, large family gatherings, and constant socializing. Social energy varies along an introversion–extraversion continuum rather than fitting into binary categories. The Big Five personality framework situates extraversion as a tendency to seek stimulation and sociability, while introversion favors lower stimulation, deliberate interactions, and recovery time. Recognizing personal social-battery limits enables better December planning, such as prioritizing meaningful events, scheduling downtime, setting boundaries, and communicating needs. Tailoring holiday plans to personal energy patterns can reduce stress and increase enjoyment during the festive season.
Read at Psychology Today
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