Finding Calm in the Holiday Storm
Let’s be real. The holidays are not always holly and jolly.
Sometimes they’re chaotic, overstimulating, and packed with pressure.
You’re juggling family plans, money stress, long lines, emotions you didn’t plan on feeling, and maybe even a few ghosts of Christmas past that you thought you’d healed from.
And in between all that noise, your nervous system is just whispering,
“Can I please catch a break?”
You can.
You need to.
And you deserve to.
Because while the world glorifies hustle and perfection this time of year, I want you to remember something really simple.
You are not here to perform joy.
You’re here to experience peace.
Even if that peace comes in five-minute doses between errands or after the kids are asleep, it still counts.
The truth is, you don’t need a full day off in a spa to reset your energy.
You just need small moments that remind you who you are underneath the noise.
Mini Self-Love Practices for Holiday Overwhelm
Here are a few ways to bring yourself back when your brain feels like tangled tinsel.
1. The Hot Chocolate Breath.
Imagine holding a mug of hot cocoa. Take a slow breath in and smell the chocolate, then exhale slowly like you’re cooling it off.
Three times. That’s it.
Instant calm.
2. The Car Concert Reset.
Turn off your phone, blast your favorite song, and just sing. Loudly. Off-key if you want.
Energy moves when you do.
3. The Nope List.
Write down three things you’re not doing this year.
Maybe it’s: “I’m not hosting,” or “I’m not overextending my budget,” or “I’m not pretending I’m okay when I’m not.”
Put that list somewhere visible and let it free you.
4. The Soft Landing Ritual.
Before bed, dim the lights. Light a candle or lamp. Sit in silence for a minute.
Put your hand on your heart and say,
“I made it through today. That’s enough.”
Repeat it until you feel it sink in.
Mini Journal Prompts for a Softer Season
Take five quiet minutes and write whatever comes up. No rules. No pressure.
What’s making me feel heavy this season?
What’s something small that makes me feel at peace?
Where can I create more softness for myself right now?
Who or what makes me feel drained, and how can I protect my energy there?
What am I truly craving this holiday season, not the stuff but the feeling?
Write honestly. Then choose one small change that feels doable this week.
Maybe it’s saying no. Maybe it’s asking for help. Maybe it’s taking a day with no plans.
Whatever it is, let it be your gift to yourself.
Because the holidays don’t need a perfect you.
They need a real you.
A you that breathes, laughs, rests, and remembers her peace is more important than any party, plan, or performance.
You deserve a season that feels gentle.
A season that holds you, not drains you.
A season where self-love isn’t an afterthought but the main event.
So go ahead. Wrap yourself in calm like it’s your favorite blanket.
Breathe.
Let the world spin.
You’ve got you.
And that’s more than enough.
