Finding Calm in the Chaos of the Holidays

Let’s be honest — the holidays can be wonderful, and they can also be… a lot. Even the good kind of busy can leave us drained. Maybe it’s juggling family visits, missing someone special, worrying about money, or trying to make everything “just right.” Whatever your holiday looks like this year, you’re not the only one feeling the weight of it.

People like to say that stress is something we can control — and technically, that’s true. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. When you’re in the middle of it, managing stress can feel like one more thing to manage. Sometimes, it’s less about “controlling” it and more about giving ourselves permission to think about things differently.

I’ve caught myself thinking, “I wish I didn’t have to deal with that person who always gets under my skin.” But then I’ll try to shift that thought just a little. Maybe I look forward to something else about the gathering — the food, a good laugh, or the drive home with my favourite playlist. It doesn’t fix everything, but it helps.

Mindset isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about finding small moments of ease in between the hard ones. If you’re dreading the holidays this year, maybe try asking yourself: What’s one thing I can look forward to? Or What can I do today that would feel good? Some days the answer will come easily, and some days it won’t. That’s okay too.

Another thing that helps is giving yourself “buffers.” If you’re hosting a big dinner and then jumping straight into another event, try to build in a bit of space — even a few hours to reset. Rest isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.

And don’t underestimate the power of small pauses. A quiet coffee before everyone wakes up. A short walk. Listening to your favourite song. Breathing in for four counts and out for four. Or grounding yourself with a quick “five senses” check — what can you see, hear, touch, smell, and taste right now? These little things can make a big difference when the noise of the season starts to build.

The truth is, none of us navigate the holidays perfectly. We all feel the mix — joy, pressure, nostalgia, exhaustion. But maybe this year, we can give ourselves a bit more room to breathe. The holidays will still be the holidays, but they don’t have to take everything out of us.