Breaking Free from the Holiday Hustle: Finding Peace in the Season

Breaking Free from the Holiday Hustle: Finding Peace in the Season

The holidays are supposed to be a magical time, right? But lately, I’ve found myself stuck in a bubble of overwhelm. There are lists to make, tasks to finish, and this constant loop of “what still needs to get done” running through my head. It’s like stepping onto a wheel of dread—and it’s spinning faster every day.

I jokingly started calling my to-do list the Holiday Olympics. Gold medal in cookie decorating? Maybe. But the truth is, every year, the pressure to orchestrate a “perfect” holiday experience feels so heavy.

We’re told to create these picture-perfect moments—commercialized magic wrapped in twinkling lights. But it’s so hard to make magic when you’re carrying the weight of doing it all.

What if the Magic Isn’t in the Hustle?

This year, I started asking myself some tough questions:

• What am I really creating with all these tasks?

• What kind of memories do I want for myself and my family?

The answers surprised me. They weren’t about perfection. They weren’t about having the most impressive decorations, the biggest meals, or the best gifts.

What I kept coming back to was this: I want peace. I want ease. I want the moments to feel as good as the memories will look.

What if the magic isn’t in the hustle? What if it’s in the little things—the laughter during a messy baking session, the quiet of a snowy morning, or the simple joy of being together?

Reframing the Season

Instead of treating my to-do list like a burden, I’ve been experimenting with a new mindset. I’ve been reframing my actions, seeing them not as “chores” but as opportunities to create something meaningful.

I’m learning to let go of the pressure to make everything perfect. The joy is in the trying, the being, the creating—even when it’s messy.

This doesn’t mean abandoning traditions or stepping away from what makes the holidays special. It means being intentional about what I choose to focus on. It means finding peace in the process and letting go of the hype that doesn’t serve me.

How You Can Reimagine the Holidays

If you’re feeling the same way, know that you’re not alone. We don’t have to carry the weight of the holidays on our own shoulders.

Here are three questions you can ask yourself to create a season that feels lighter and more joyful:

1. What truly matters to me and my family during the holidays?

2. What can I simplify or let go of this year?

3. What small moments bring me the most joy, and how can I create more of them?

It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what feels good.

Finding Inspiration

Here are a few things that have been inspiring me lately as I work to simplify and find joy in the season:

• Movies That Inspire Gratitude: I came across a great list from Common Sense Media while planning a family movie night. It’s a beautiful reminder of how little moments can shift our perspective.

• Why I’m Embracing Chaos Over Checklists: A great read by Nandini Maharaj at PopSugar that’s all about letting go of the need to control every detail.

• Ladybug Land or Butterfly Farm by Insect Lore: I stumbled upon this perfect kids’ gift that lets you watch nature transform—it’s a simple way to bring wonder into your home.

• My December Album: Michael Kiwanuka’s Small Changes. I heard about it on NPR, and the host described it as “hopeful without being fake.” The music feels like an invitation to embrace life’s messiness while holding onto the belief that better days are ahead.

Ways to Support My Work

If this post resonates with you, here are a few ways you can support me:

1. Book an Emotion Code Session: Let’s work together to clear the emotional weight you might be carrying this season.

2. Check Out My Boundary Setting Course: Learn practical tools to say no with confidence, protect your energy, and create space for what matters most.

3. Share This Post: If you know someone who could use a little less holiday hustle, send this blog their way.

Final Thoughts

What if the holidays didn’t have to feel heavy? What if we let go of the pressure to make them perfect and focused instead on what truly matters—connection, joy, and ease?

This year, I’m choosing to reimagine the season. Not as a race to the finish line, but as an opportunity to slow down and savor the moments that matter most.

Let’s make this holiday season feel good again.