Surviving & Thriving During Desi Wedding Season: A Self-Care Toolkit for South Asian Women
Desi wedding season is a time of joy, celebration, music, and delicious food. But let’s be honest…it can also bring emotional exhaustion, family drama, people-pleasing pressures, and the unrelenting expectation to show up perfectly dressed and perfectly composed.
Whether you're attending as a guest, part of the wedding party, or navigating your own family’s dynamics, it’s important to take care of your mental and emotional well-being during this high-energy season. Here’s your guide to staying grounded with self-care, boundaries, and post-wedding decompression.
1. Start With a Self-Care Toolkit
Before the first dance or mehndi night, prepare a personalized self-care toolkit you can rely on throughout the wedding season. Think of it as your emotional emergency bag! It will be something you can pull from when the overstimulation hits.
Include:
Comfort rituals: Herbal teas, skincare routines, reading, journaling or whatever soothes your nervous system.
Affirmations: Write down a few grounding statements like “I am allowed to rest” or “I don’t owe anyone my emotional energy.”
Sleep & hydration plan: Weddings are notorious for late nights and salty snacks. Prioritize good sleep hygiene and bring a water bottle to every event.
Clothing that feels good: Yes, you can look beautiful and be comfortable. Choose outfits that honour your cultural identity without sacrificing your ease.
Quiet time reminders: Block off time before or after events to breathe, meditate, or go for a walk. Protect your peace.
2. Set Boundaries Before You Need Them
Boundaries can help you stay in the moment without feeling consumed.
Some boundary-setting tips for wedding season:
Limit event attendance if possible: You do not have to attend every event. Choose the ones that feel meaningful and aligned.
Prepare responses in advance: Practice gentle but firm ways to respond to triggering comments like:
“When are you getting married?”
“Have you gained/lost weight?”
“What do you even do for work?”
Try: “I’d rather not talk about that today, let’s enjoy the celebration,” or “I’m focusing on things that bring me joy right now.”
Set emotional limits: If you're supporting someone else’s big day, remember that you’re not responsible for everyone's feelings. It's okay to step back when your own cup feels empty.
3. Plan for the Aftermath: Post-Wedding Decompression
Once the music fades and the lehengas are packed away, your nervous system may need some serious recovery.
Here’s how to decompress:
Block off a few “nothing” days: Schedule time off or light days after the wedding season ends. Don’t fill them! Protect them.
Journal the highs and lows: Reflect on what you loved and what was draining. This helps you prepare differently next time.
Do a digital detox: Step back from social media to avoid the comparison trap and allow your mind to reset.
Re-anchor in your daily routine: Go back to familiar rituals like meal prepping, walking your dog, or stretching. Your body might crave some rhythm and routine after all that adrenaline.
Talk it out: If wedding season brought up old wounds or triggered family dynamics, consider speaking to a therapist to process it.
You Deserve Joy
Desi wedding season can be vibrant, beautiful, and full of love, but it’s okay if it also feels overwhelming. Two things can be true at one time. As South Asian women, many of us are unlearning generations of people-pleasing and emotional suppression. That means showing up with intention, protecting your energy, and choosing joy on your own terms.
You deserve to feel good during the celebration, not just after it ends.
Need support navigating cultural expectations, family dynamics, or burnout?
Book a free consultation with Risha Dave Psychotherapy. We're here to help South Asian women reconnect with their values, set empowered boundaries, and thrive through wedding season and beyond.
