Coping With the Holidays- Part 1: Protecting Your Peace
Well everyone, we have made it. Through the rush of Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping, and now we are officially in the midst of the Holiday Season. Welcome to December!
I feel like the holiday season encompasses so many different feelings. There’s the joy and excitement, the nostalgia, and then the feelings of sadness, heaviness, stress, or anxiety that can come up too. It’s truly a mixed bag. And even if you love this time of year, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re immune to the emotional weight that comes with it.
Why the Holidays Feel So Heavy
Like I said earlier, even when we LIVE for the holiday season, there’s still a lot happening beneath the surface. The holidays have a way of magnifying whatever we’re already carrying. So if you’re stressed, tired, stretched thin, or navigating complicated relationships, this time of year can make all of that feel louder.
There are also very real pressures that people don’t talk about enough:
The expectation to be cheerful, social, and “on” all the time
Family dynamics that bring up old roles, patterns, or wounds
Financial strain and the pressure to give or host
Feeling responsible for keeping the peace
The emotional whiplash of juggling work, family, and personal needs
None of this means you’re doing something wrong. It means you’re human, and your nervous system is responding to a lot at once.
Emotional Overload: What It Actually Looks Like
Emotional overload doesn’t always look like a breakdown or a dramatic moment. More often, it sneaks in quietly. It can look like:
Feeling snappy or easily irritated
Wanting to cancel plans you originally wanted to attend
Feeling overstimulated or exhausted by small things
Decision fatigue (“I don’t care — just pick something”)
Feeling guilty no matter what choice you make
Not recognizing yourself because your usual coping skills feel weaker
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s not a failure. It’s your body saying, “This is too much right now.”
Boundaries as Prevention, Not Punishment
Boundaries get a bad reputation, especially around the holidays, but they’re actually one of the kindest things you can offer yourself — and the people around you. Boundaries are simply limits that help you stay aligned with your values and your capacity.
When you set them early in the month, you’re not shutting people out; you’re preventing burnout and resentment later.
Some examples you can use can sound like:
“I’m not able to stay the whole time, but I can come for an hour.”
“Thank you for including me — I’m keeping things low-key this year.”
“I don’t have the capacity for that right now.”
Choosing one event instead of three
Sticking to a spending limit
Protecting your rest, even if it means saying no
These kinds of boundaries help you stay grounded before things start to feel overwhelming.
Simple Grounding Practices for Early December
You don’t need a full wellness makeover to get through this month. Small, consistent moments of grounding can make a big difference for your emotional capacity.
Here are a few that are easy to start now:
Pause before replying to an invitation. Give yourself a minute (or a few hours) instead of automatically saying yes.
Check in with your body daily. Ask yourself: What do I need more of? And what can I let go of today?
Identify your non-negotiables. Sleep, alone time, financial limits, downtime with your partner — name them and honor them.
Replace one obligation with rest. Let something go and use that time to slow down, even briefly.
Limit multitasking. Your brain is already juggling enough this month.
These aren’t about avoiding the holidays; they’re about allowing yourself to participate without burning yourself out.
A Gentle Reminder About Your Capacity
You’re allowed to do less.
You’re allowed to protect your peace.
You’re allowed to say no — or change your mind.
You’re allowed to choose what matters most to you, not what everyone else expects.
Your worth is not determined by how much you do, how “together” you look, or how perfectly you manage the holiday season. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish — it’s necessary.
What’s Coming in Part 2
Part 2 (coming December 19) will focus on the tougher parts of the holiday season: navigating gatherings, handling emotional triggers, managing family dynamics, and recovering afterward. Think of Part 1 as the foundation — the part that helps you stay steady as the busier days approach.