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Keeping the Magic of the Holiday Among the Chaos

 Hello and Welcome Back to The Therapist Diaries, 

As the holiday season approaches, many people find themselves pulled in different emotional directions. There’s excitement, connection, and celebration, but there can also be stress, overwhelm, and the pressure to make everything feel “just right.” If you’re noticing your shoulders creeping up toward your ears or your mind moving faster than you'd like, you’re not alone. This is a time of year when mindfulness can become a gentle anchor, something steady to return to when everything else feels a bit chaotic.

This year is the first year that I'll be spending the Christmas holiday away from my parents and while I'm very excited for the plans I have made, a few days ago I suddenly found myself overwhelmed with the anticipation of juggling work, travel, cooking my first dinner, and the feeling that everything needed to be perfect. After having a good crying session and talking it through with my loved ones, I stopped and took a few deep breaths. Then I wrote out a to-do list in order of priority.  That tiny pause and recalibration didn’t change my to-do list, but it changed my relationship to it. For the first time that day, my nervous system softened. I was reminded how powerful just one mindful moment can be.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, mindfulness doesn’t need to be elaborate; it’s often these small, consistent pauses that support us the most. Before responding to a message, stepping into a gathering, or making a decision, taking a few deep breaths and feeling your feet on the ground can gently signal to your body that you’re safe. This allows your mind to ease out of stress mode and re-enter a place of clarity and presence.

During the holidays, it’s easy to get swept into expectations- your own and everyone else’s. Mindfulness invites you to check in with yourself before committing to anything. Ask your body how it feels about the plans you’re making. Notice if saying yes brings warmth or tension. Giving yourself permission to respond thoughtfully helps you stay connected to what you genuinely want, rather than running on autopilot. This isn’t about withdrawing from people; it’s about choosing from a place of intention instead of obligation.

Another helpful practice is grounding through your senses. Holiday environments can be overstimulating: lights, music, crowds, schedules. Taking a moment to notice what you see, hear, smell, and feel can gently bring you back to the present moment. You might savor the scent of a candle, the texture of a soft blanket, or the cool air on your skin. These simple sensory anchors help calm the nervous system and make it easier to move through the day with steadiness and clarity.

And perhaps most importantly, offer yourself compassion throughout the season. Mindfulness is not about being perfectly calm or endlessly patient; it’s about noticing your experience with kindness. If you’re overwhelmed, that’s okay. If you need a break, that’s okay too. Your needs matter and honoring them is a meaningful way of caring for yourself during a time that can be emotionally demanding.

The holidays can be beautiful, but they can also be complicated. Let mindfulness be a soft place to land, a reminder that you can move through this season with more presence, gentleness, and ease. And if you find yourself needing extra support, know that reaching out is always a strength. You don’t have to navigate this time alone.

Until next time- be kind to your mind.

—The Therapist Diaries

 

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