How to Set Self-Boundaries During Political Triggers: Reclaim Peace and Protect Your Well-Being This Holiday Season
I had a therapy session this week that opened up some mega insights about this time of year — as we enter into a season where both politics and family gatherings are on max volume. It’s more important than ever to learn how to set boundaries during the holidays.
No matter if you’re thrilled or devastated by the U.S. election results, my long-time trauma disorders therapist shared a perspective that I thought was worthy of passing on.
She said that Trump’s first campaign was the first time she and her colleagues had ever collectively seen politics come up as the full session topic. People were experiencing reactions in ways practitioners hadn’t ever observed en masse before. And as she explained, it wasn’t about politics on the surface — it went much deeper, reaching into the past traumas many were carrying with them.
For many, Trump’s behaviors triggered something profoundly familiar. It reminded them of experiences with individuals who had hurt them in the past, or even the silent bystanders who didn’t step in to help. And as the political landscape became more divisive, it wasn’t just about what was happening on the news — it started affecting personal relationships. Families became more polarized, and for some, just talking to loved ones felt heavier and harder than ever.
The Deeper Invitation Behind Political Triggers 🎯
My therapist went on to say: Your reactions often aren’t just about the present moment. Political triggers often open up wounds from unresolved parts of your life.
She even noticed a “trauma reenactment” pattern — not just among her clients but even in the actions of public figures. People often project their own unresolved hurts and histories onto political situations, finding ways to act out what they couldn’t process in their past.
This doesn’t mean the issues themselves aren’t real or worth discussing.
But it also shows something powerful: These heightened reactions can be an invitation to explore your own stories, to ask, What is this moment bringing up for me?
When you look closely, you might find echoes of past situations where you felt out of control or unheard — places where you can begin healing now by exploring what these triggers are inviting you to process.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by what’s happening on the outside, you can reclaim power by going within, identifying the source of these feelings, and using them to guide you toward greater peace.
Setting Boundaries with Yourself 🌱
So how do you do that? 💥BOUNDARIES WITH YOURSELF!💥
Often, you think of boundaries as putting up walls with other people or situations. However, the most powerful boundaries are the ones you set within yourself. Deciding what energy, information, or interactions you’re willing to let in. And what you do with your feelings. In times when emotions are running high, boundaries with yourself can be your best tool to reclaim peace.
Here are a few ways to practice self-boundaries in response to triggers:
- 🛑 Pause Before Reacting: When you feel a trigger, give yourself a moment. Breathe deeply and acknowledge the feeling without jumping into immediate action. This pause lets you approach the moment with more calm and clarity. Not attaching yourself to it but rather observing it.
- 🕰️ Set a Time for Engagement: Choose specific times or limits for consuming news or engaging in social media. This creates a boundary around how much influence outside information has over your emotions, allowing you to stay grounded. Take advantage of your digital wellbeing timers that can hold you lovingly accountable to shutting down.
- 💬 Internal Dialogue: Check in with yourself regularly. Ask questions like, What is this trigger trying to tell me? Where might I need more compassion or healing within myself? How might I allow this to move through me? What values-aligned action might I take to alchemize this energy?
By setting these loving boundaries with yourself, you give yourself the power to process and transform triggers instead of feeling controlled by them. You move from a place of reactivity to one of growth, using each challenging moment as an invitation to go deeper within yourself.
Join Me to Deepen Your Boundaries Work and Learn How to Set Boundaries During the Holidays 🌟
I used to dread holiday dinner conversations after an election. Today, I legit look forward to them because I’ve learned how to set boundaries with ease and confidence. Primarily with myself!
This is key when triggers are right on the surface, and you straight-up cannot control others. You can double-down on controlling yourself.
That’s why I’m thrilled to invite you to our How to Set Boundaries During the Holidays Bootcamp.❄️
This 5-day journey is designed to help you build values-driven boundaries so you can reclaim peace, energy, and joy—even when conversations get heated or situations feel triggering.
In daily snackable lessons, we’ll dive into practical steps to set boundaries that honor both your inner needs and external interactions. Together, we’ll create a safe space where you can feel empowered, grounded, and ready to reclaim your power this holiday season and beyond!
Sign up Here! Boundaries BootCamp❄️$5 for 5 days
With the right boundaries in place, this season can truly be one of joy and fulfillment—one where you’re free to feel aligned with your values and protect your well-being.
P.S.
For real you don’t want to miss our Holiday Boundaries BootCamp! Starting today, this is your chance to create the foundation for a season filled with peace and joy, on your own terms.