Holidazed? Instead of Stress Bingeing, Try This One Hallelujah Hail Mary
'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the mall,
Not a parking spot open, no patience at all.
'Twas the season, they said, to be jolly and bright,
But honestly, I’d settle for a silent night.
Skip the cookies, the cards, the gifts in a heap—
Just let me binge movies and catch up on sleep.
To stay calm in the holidaze, here’s a quick hack:
Say “no” to the madness and never look back.
Sip something warm, let the chaos go by—
Relax like a Boss while the world runs awry.
During the holidays, it's easy to be swept up in the hustle and bustle of it all. This can give way to the feeling that holidaze aren't so "merry and bright". They’re not even fun (let alone accessible for everyone).
What if I told you that you could wrap up the holiday madness and hide it under a tree to truly make the season an actual gift?
What would it feel like to look forward to a whole holiDAY of rest? Or a celebration? Or whatever you want this season to be?
Could the holidaze truly be an annual checkpoint, to remind yourself how far you’ve come and how grateful you are for your perseverance?
This doesn’t mean you have to obey the “new year,” but this can be a seasonal check-in gifting you reflection, discovery, and merely connection with yourself first, and others if you so choose.
I know! I can hear your excuses; the extenuating circumstances, the work doesn’t stop realities, the demanding deadlines imposed by family and friends, the endless merry-go-round of Joneses and jingles, truly, who can keep up?
Here’s the thing, we can and therefore most explore, how to actively choose to enjoy ourselves during this time.
We can consciously leave out the traditional home-cooked meal and obligatory celebration for an incredibly minimalist experience, because it is what we need to do to feel good. We can also go maximalist, and spend 12 days and nights in reverie. You do you boo, but do you.
By making You your gift, you may piss family off, incense relations with certain expectations, and break a lot of rules. But you can make this season what you want. It helps if you don’t string this choice up in lights, with a full sound track to accompany. You can choose you and carve out your boundaries like you’ve just shovelled your pathway forward through the snow.
Believe me you, we all need a cool, calming spray of fire-retardent foam across this dumpster cauldron of a burning world right now. Be the spray foam. Flock your tree. Even if you’re more of a chinese take-away and Die Hard marathon holidayer.
Make your precious days off, a full permission break.
Let the 8ish hours of no-work-emails, be all about you.
How? CHOOSE.
Practice.
Every time the guilt or pressure creeps in, remind yourself, it’s just one day of rest.
Guess what, you can take this practice with you everywhere you go.
Your daily gym session, or yoga, or walk, or bed-time routine.
Your weekender.
Your anywhere, anytime!
What is the worst thing that may happen? Seriously, brainstorm, write it all out.
List every feeling you’ll hurt, every grudge you’ll build, every sideways comment, and judgey text message you fear.
Include the invites you won’t get next year, the tears and cries directed at you, the "all your faults," even the physical reactions.
Then write out your dream scenario.
What does your ideal holiday look like?
How does it feel?
What do you eat?
When do you sleep?
Do you watch football or binge on Netflix documentaries?
Or maybe you get out, snow angel, catch first runs, or perhaps you're cresting your summer holidays and it’s a beach day to the max?!
What is your ultimate fantasy?
Now give yourself permission.
Permission for the middle.
Something in-between.
But absolutely make it a holiday for you.
Make yourself happy!
Then take care of the wo/men and children.
The drunk uncles, distraught mothers, too high “adults,” and cooking / cleaning.
Even if you choose the hectic travel, the inappropriate dinner conversation, the hours of prep and clean-up, choose it willingly.
Knowingly.
Momentarily.
Hilariously.
Embrace the experience.
You do you, and love every damn second of it.
I am so grateful for you. I hope you are too.
Remember, this holiday season you will do enough, and enough is a feast.
If you're ready to gift yourself the permission to rest, reflect, and reclaim joy—not just during the holidaze but all year round—join The Loop. It's my monthly newsletter filled with tips, musings, and the occasional permission slip to live life on your terms (spam-free, always).
Subscribe now and let’s keep the holidaze magic going all year round! 🎁