Holiday Overwhelm: Why We All Feel a Little "Extra" in December

Let’s be honest… the holidays are supposed to be twinkly and magical, but sometimes they feel more like a marathon you didn’t train for.

We enter the season overcommitted, overstimulated, and overwhelmed — and then wonder why we’re tired, cranky, and maybe eating candy canes in the pantry.

If this sounds familiar, you are in very good company.

Where the Pressure Comes From

A lot of holiday stress isn’t actually ours — it’s borrowed.

There’s pressure from:

• media

• family

• friends

• work

• school

• the neighborhood, the community, the dog… everybody has an opinion

  
  

Decorating, shopping, baking, wrapping, attending 17 different gatherings — it’s a lot. And when we get caught up in the swirl, we often:

• overspend

• overcommit

• overeat

• overdrink

No wonder we collapse on the couch wondering how December became a contact sport.

This year, pause and ask yourself:

"How does all of this actually feel in my body?" " Do I want to keep doing it this way?"

The Social Media Holiday Mirage

Social media doesn’t help.

We scroll through Instagram and see:

• spotless homes

• flawless decorations

• perfectly tiered cheese boards

• families smiling in matching pajamas that somehow managed to stay clean

Meanwhile in real life:

• ornaments are mismatched and slightly sticky

• the dog knocked over the tree (again)

• something is burning in the oven

• and we’re sweeping dust bunnies under the rug before company arrives

  
  

That’s NORMAL.

Real holidays are messy, funny, sentimental, and imperfect. They’re full of love, noise, and occasionally burnt side dishes.

Perfection is overrated — connection is where the magic is.

Are You Overwhelmed? Here’s the Checklist

If you’re:

• rushing from one thing to the next

• feeling resentful about all you “have to” do

• completely exhausted

…this is your sign to check in.

Ask yourself:

• Am I sleeping well with a consistent bedtime and wake time?

• Am I getting protein, healthy fats, and fiber at meals or just grabbing cookies and hoping for the best?

• Am I drinking water? (Coffee doesn’t count. I’m sorry.)

• When was the last time I took a deep breath — on purpose?

• Have I set any holiday boundaries at all?

If the answer is a shaky “ummm… maybe?” — you’re not alone. Most of us are winging December.

Mindset Shift: Connection Over Perfection

Here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: Perfection is stressful. Connection is nourishing.

For example: my most important holiday wish is to have all the kids together at some point. This year… it’s not happening. Travel, schedules, and life got in the way.

I had my moment (yes, an actual fit). And then I realized — I can still enjoy quality time with them separately. There’s plenty of love to go around.

And guess what? It feels fine. Even good.

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Simple Reset Strategies

When it all feels like too much, try these tiny resets:

✨ Sit down 

✨ Close your eyes 

✨ Take five slow, deep breaths

That’s it. A mini nervous system reboot.

You will:

• think more clearly

• handle stress more calmly

• build resilience for the next moment life throws at you

You don’t need an hour-long spa day. You just need a minute.

This Week’s Challenge

What can you say no to this week?

No to:

• one more event

• one more obligation

• one more thing on your to-do list that makes you sigh

Say yes to:

• rest

• breath

• connection

• moments that feel good

When it's all over, I have the perfect gift for you! A day retreat to rest, relax and recenter! Time to Shine: A Midlife Wellness Retreat. Just in time- January 24, 2026.