Overwhelmed by the Holidays? Here’s How to Find REAL Peace and Joy

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed during the holidays that you just imploded? Or maybe you felt downright depressed? I’ve been there—more than once. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: nothing will steal your peace and joy faster than overwhelm.

This season, I want to help you take your holidays back. I’ll share simple, actionable ways to rediscover happiness, set aside the impossible ideals, and truly enjoy this time of year. Let’s talk about coping with holiday stress…

Because let’s be honest—there’s what we think the holidays should be, and then there’s the messy, stressful reality. Especially for women. We’re juggling never-ending to-do lists while somehow being expected to:

– Deck the halls perfectly
– Bake Pinterest-worthy cookies
– Wrap every gift with flair
– Move the damn elf
– Cook, clean, entertain… oh, and look stylish while doing it all.

It’s an impossible ideal. And here’s the truth: you don’t have to do it all.

Your feelings of overwhelm are not trivial—they’re real. It’s okay to feel them. Acknowledge them, let go of the unrealistic expectations, and start prioritizing you.

Coping with Holiday Stress

How You’re Really Feeling…

We know we have so much to be grateful for, but in the spirit of keeping it real… here’s the truth for so many of us, the holidays are a massive source of stress and anxiety.

When the holiday pressure piles up, it seeps into every part of your life:

– You snap at your kids or your husband over something tiny.
– You’re exhausted.
– You’re overwhelmed.
– Maybe you’ve had a meltdown or two. Or you’ve turned to wine, cookies, or both for comfort.

The bottom line? You’re not enjoying the holidays the way you want to. And here’s what I keep coming back to… isn’t that the entire point of this season? So… how do you prevent this from happening?

How To Relieve Pressure…

Here’s the key: simplify and prioritize. Always remember, you don’t have to do everything. Actually, you don’t have to do anything. And, it certainly doesn’t have to be perfect. Here’s how to take some of the pressure off:

#1 | Stop Doing What Drives You Crazy

If it’s a source of stress, stop doing it. Full stop.

– Hate sending holiday cards? Skip them. Most people will toss them anyway.
– Sick of wrapping presents? Outsource it (if you can afford to). I pay Gladis (my angel) to wrap gifts, it saves me hours, and she is always happy to have the extra money.
– Not into cooking? Order a pre-made meal. I highly doubt your family will really care where it came from.
– Don’t bake? Buy the cookies from a local bakery—they might taste better anyway!

Action Step: Write down everything on your holiday to-do list.
Put a star next to what brings you joy. And, put a checkmark next to what you can outsource or eliminate.

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#2 – Delegate (and Don’t Feel Bad About It)

The unspoken rule that women handle everything during the holidays? That’s outdated nonsense. Your partner can absolutely help—if you let them?!

– Be clear about what you need help with. Assign tasks like wrapping gifts, decorating, or cleaning up after meals. And, don’t be too tied to the results. If the wrapping is kinda messy – so what. 

– If you have kids, involve them too. Give them small, age-appropriate jobs like hanging ornaments or setting the table.

Action Step: Sit down with your partner and divvy up tasks. Share the load—you’ll be amazed how much stress it takes off. Sometimes even talking about it can make you feel better.

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#3 – Social Media Is a Lie

Here’s something you already know but is always worth repeating: Instagram is a lie. That perfectly curated tree, immaculate tablescape, and flawless holiday outfits? It’s not all real life.

Most people are barely keeping it together behind the scenes. EVERYONE HAS STUFF. Social media just adds pressure you don’t need. Try not to doom scroll and fall into compare and despair.

Action Step: If scrolling Instagram is making you feel bad, set boundaries.
Take a social media break. Set daily limits like you do for your kids. Unfollow accounts that make you feel less-than.

Remember, your holiday doesn’t need to look perfect—it just needs to feel good to you.

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You Got This!

Breathe… grant yourself grace… and remember that the holidays are not about perfection, but connection. They are not about exhaustion and stress, but peace and joy. You are allowed to let go of what doesn’t serve you. You are allowed to ask for help. And you are absolutely allowed to put yourself first.

This season, give yourself permission to simplify. I promise you—everyone will be happier, especially you. 

How are you finding ways to make the holidays more joyful? Please share in the comments below.