When Tradition Becomes Obligation: Reclaiming Joy in the Season (and in Travel)

The holidays have a way of pulling us into their current — a swirl of rituals, recipes, and expectations that seem to have always been there. We light the candles, bake the cookies, make the long drives, or say “yes” to one more gathering, all in the name of tradition.

But somewhere between the nostalgia and the noise, it’s easy to lose the thread of what those traditions were meant to hold: connection, meaning, and joy.

Instead, we find ourselves stretched thin, moving through motions that once grounded us but now drain us. Our calendars overflow, our homes get messy, our boundaries blur. And yet, that small whisper of guilt creeps in — if I don’t show up, if I skip it, if I say no… am I letting someone down?

This isn’t just about the holidays. The same dynamic shows up in how we travel.

We create bucket lists full of “must-sees,” the landmarks and picture-perfect views we’ve been told we have to experience. But sometimes, chasing every checkmark can feel more like an obligation than an adventure.

At Root Adventures, our motto is “Travel that takes you to the bucket list — and beyond.”

Because it’s often in the quiet corners, the unexpected turns, and the moments where we give ourselves permission to wander differently that we actually feel most alive.

The truth is — tradition, like travel, is meant to be life-giving, not depleting.

So as we move into this holiday season, here are 5 ways to keep the beauty of tradition without losing yourself to obligation.

1. Pause and Take Inventory

Ask yourself: What gives me energy? What drains it?
Notice how your body feels when you think about each event, recipe, ritual, or trip. Energy is a truth-teller. Lean toward what lights you up; release what feels heavy.

2. Redefine “Keeping the Tradition Alive”

Honoring tradition doesn’t have to mean repeating it exactly as it’s been done. Maybe you carry the essence, not the form.
If baking your grandmother’s pie feels like too much, light a candle in her honor instead. If the family gathering feels too loud or long, drop in for an hour and leave before you hit your edge.

3. Let “No” Be a Sacred Word

“No” isn’t rejection — it’s recalibration.
When we say no to what drains us, we say yes to our own wholeness.
And that’s where real connection grows — from a place of presence, not performance.

4. Trade FOMO for JOMO — The Joy of Missing Out

Whether it’s skipping the tourist hotspot or opting out of the cookie exchange, remind yourself: you’re not missing something; you’re choosing something else.
Choosing peace. Choosing rest. Choosing to live your own rhythm.

5. Create Your Own Meaning

Every tradition started with someone deciding this matters. You have permission to do the same.
Start new traditions that reflect who you are now — maybe it’s a sunrise walk, a day of quiet, a trip somewhere new. The goal isn’t to abandon what was, but to stay honest about what is true for you now.

This Season, Choose Energy Over Obligation

Traditions are beautiful anchors — but only when they help us feel more at home within ourselves.
So this year, travel gently — both through your days and through the world — following not what’s expected, but what feels alive.

Because the best journeys — and the most meaningful traditions — are the ones that expand us, not exhaust us.