January 2025 – Corinne Perisse, Psychotherapist
The holidays: a mix of joy and guilt
The holiday season, filled with conviviality and abundance, often leaves many feeling guilty after overindulging at the table. This common emotion doesn’t have to be a burden—it can be an opportunity for self-reflection and deeper understanding.
Where does guilt arise?
When guilt surfaces after overeating, take a moment to reflect:
- Where do you feel this emotion?
- How does it manifest physically or mentally?
- What does it make you think of?
These are just some of the questions we could explore together in therapy. The aim is not just to analyze guilt but also to release you from what holds you back, fostering new awareness and empowering decisions.
Uncovering the roots of guilt
You may be surprised by how much a single emotion can uncover deeper aspects of your life. In therapy, we use tools like Transactional Analysis to create a shared language and work together on the beliefs that limit your freedom.
The scripts that influence our behavior
Many of our holiday behaviors are shaped by unconscious “scripts” that guide our actions:
- Social scripts: “At Christmas, we eat a lot.”
- Family scripts: “We must honor the host’s efforts at Christmas.”
- Personal scripts: “I have to enjoy all the delicious food on the table.”
Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward asking yourself:
Am I truly following my desires, or am I adhering to an imposed script?
Overcoming personal limits
Once you’ve identified these automatisms, reflect further:
- What challenges do I face in pursuing what I truly want?
- Am I afraid of disappointing others’ expectations?
- Are there unspoken agreements or rules I feel compelled to follow?
These reflections provide a glimpse of the work we can do in psychotherapy. It’s a safe space to rediscover yourself, overcome barriers, and find an authentic balance.
Take a moment for yourself
Psychotherapy offers a moment of listening and growth, an opportunity to set aside the scripts that hold you back and embrace fresh perspectives. It’s a chance to rediscover yourself and live more freely and consciously.
Take care of yourself and your well-being. I would be delighted to welcome you for an appointment—in Italian or French—to support you on your journey to balance and serenity.
👉 Click here to book your session with me, Corinne Perisse, psychotherapist at Aventino Medical Group.
Together, let’s move toward your well-being.