In this episode of the Journey Beyond Divorce Podcast, Karen McMahon sits down with divorce attorney Andrea Vacca, Esq. to explore the unique pressures of the holiday season when you're considering divorce. This is the stage where uncertainty weighs heavily, information is still being gathered, and you may not be ready—or safe—to share your plans with anyone. Family gatherings, traditions, and expectations continue around you, even as you quietly wonder what the new year will bring. Karen and Andrea bring compassionate clarity to this "secret season," discussing how to stay grounded, make strategic decisions, and approach the holidays with intention rather than panic. They dive into the five common fears that surface during this time: the fear of not holding it together in front of family, making the wrong decision under holiday pressure, being discovered before you're ready, facing financial fallout in the new year, and feeling responsible for disrupting your children's sense of family or holiday joy. Through their conversation, you'll learn how to navigate family events without revealing too much, maintain your boundaries when emotions run high, and distinguish between reacting emotionally and preparing strategically. Karen and Andrea also discuss how to gather information safely and privately during the holiday season and how to use quiet moments and year-end reflection to get grounded. They explain why January is often the month of decisions and how to enter it with confidence and clarity. The episode naturally leads into Andrea's Pre-Divorce Guidance Package, offering legal clarity alongside emotional and strategic support so that listeners can move into the new year equipped, confident, and prepared to make informed choices about their future. This conversation is essential listening for anyone navigating the complexities of divorce while managing the emotional and practical pressures of the holiday season. Connect with Andrea: Holiday Planning for Divorcing Parents – Part 1: Putting the Children First: https://www.vaccalaw.com/holiday-planning-divorcing-parents-children-first/ Holiday Planning for Divorcing Parents – Part 2: Creative Holiday Legal Solutions: https://www.vaccalaw.com/creative-holiday-legal-solutions-divorce/ Divorce During the Holidays: How to Navigate Stress, Protect Your Kids, and Find Joy: https://www.vaccalaw.com/how-to-manage-the-holidays-during-a-divorce/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode: Follow JBD on Instagram: @journey_beyond_divorce Book a Free Rapid Relief Call: http://rapidreliefcall.com Free Divorce Support Network Gift: https://divorcesupportnetwork.com/jbdpod