Resist the Holiday Hustle: How to Slow Down, Set Boundaries, and Be Truly Present
The holidays are often described as “the most wonderful time of the year.” But if you’ve ever felt stressed, overwhelmed, or stretched thin during this time of year, you’re not alone. With packed schedules, family expectations, and social media full of perfectly wrapped gifts and cookie spreads, it’s easy to feel pressure to say “yes” to everything and everyone.
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to do it all.
As a counselor, I see a familiar pattern every year- clients who love their families and want to make meaningful memories, yet find themselves exhausted, anxious, or disconnected by mid-December. Many want a meaningful Christmas but feel swept up in a pace that leaves little room to truly be present.
If your mind is racing with all the holiday to-dos, you might find 3 Quick Ways to Calm Your Overthinking Mind helpful before diving into the chaos.
This year, I want to offer you something different: permission to resist the holiday hustle.
The Pressure to “Do It All” Is Real
The holiday season comes with a unique kind of pressure. Everywhere we look- matching pajamas, light shows, Christmas cards, cookie decorating, curated gifts- social media and advertising create an unspoken message:
“If you’re not doing all of this… you’re doing it wrong.”
But comparison is the thief of joy. We weren’t meant to keep up with every tradition, trend, or expectation.
Statistics remind us how normal it is to feel overwhelmed:
67% of Americans expect to feel anxious or stressed during the holidays, and 61% expect to feel sad or lonely at some point. (ValuePenguin)
79% of people overlook their own health needs during the holidays, and the habits that suffer most are eating healthy (69%), exercising regularly (64%), and getting enough sleep (56%). (American Heart Association)
64% of people with mental illness say their symptoms worsen during the holidays. (NAMI)
These numbers are a reminder that your stress is not a personal failure- it’s a very normal response to a season that asks a lot of us.
You Don’t Need to Do Every Tradition
Just because your friends go to a Christmas light show every year doesn’t mean you have to.
Just because you sent Christmas cards last year doesn’t mean you need to this year.
Just because another family is doing “25 days of holiday crafts” doesn’t mean that’s what your kids need (or want- especially if you’re secretly terrified of glitter explosions).
If you’re a parent, here’s the truth: kids don’t need all the things. They need you. Your presence- not a jam-packed itinerary- is what creates connection, joy, and memories. Sometimes, simplifying traditions is what creates the most meaningful moments.
Boundaries Matter—Even During the Holidays
Many people feel guilty setting boundaries during the holiday season, but boundaries are essential for protecting your energy and maintaining balance. Saying no to the wrong things allows you to say yes to the right things:
No to overspending → Yes to financial peace
No to three events in one weekend → Yes to the most meaningful event
No to saying “yes” out of guilt → Yes to showing up authentically
No to draining traditions → Yes to meaningful connection
No to pleasing everyone → Yes to being present with the people who matter most
It’s okay- good, even- to look at your calendar and remove the things that feel like too much.
Slow Down Enough to Be Present
The heart of Christmas is not in how much we accomplish, but in who we’re with and Who we worship. Presence happens when we create space for:
Meaningful conversations
Laughter that isn’t rushed
Quiet moments
Prayer and reflection
Rest
Gratitude
You cannot be present at the speed of hustle. Slowing down is not laziness; it’s intentional living- choosing depth over distraction.
Resist the Pressure to Spend More
Each year, influencers share “Top 25 Gifts for Kids” or “Amazon Must-Haves,” which can make you feel pressured to spend more or buy things you hadn’t even considered. You don’t need to keep up. Financial peace is a gift to your family.
You don’t have to purchase the trendiest toys.
You don’t have to create a picture-perfect Christmas morning.
Meaningful gifts don’t have to be expensive. Thoughtful traditions don’t have to cost much. Memories don’t come with a price tag. Consider homemade or thrifted gifts, shared experiences, or simple, heartfelt ways to show your love and appreciation without overspending.
Practical Ways to Resist the Holiday Hustle
Here are some simple ways to slow down this season:
Choose your “non-negotiables” and cut out the rest
Pick a few things that truly matter (e.g., Christmas Eve service, baking cookies, watching a favorite movie) and make those your focus. If a tradition drains more energy than it gives, pause it this year. You can always reevaluate next year.Set boundaries with compassion
A simple phrase like, “We’re keeping things simple this year, so we won’t be able to make it,” is kind, clear, and sets expectations without guilt.Schedule margin
Block evenings or days where nothing is planned. Let yourself breathe.Unfollow or mute accounts that trigger comparison
Social media should inspire, not pressure.Spend within your emotional and financial means
Set a budget- not just for money, but for your energy.Prioritize presence over perfection
Ask yourself: Is this bringing connection or stress?
Include Faith and Reflection
Even if your holiday doesn’t look picture-perfect, you can lean into your faith and meaning:
Read Scripture or a devotional in the morning to center your heart.
Keep a gratitude journal for small blessings: a warm cup of coffee, a hug from a loved one, a cozy evening at home.
Pray before holiday activities, asking God for peace, patience, and presence.
These practices create intentional pauses, helping you savor what matters most.
Conclusion: A Slower, More Meaningful Christmas
You are invited to a slower, peaceful, more meaningful Christmas- a season centered on love, presence, and the One who came to bring peace.
For many people, the holidays bring up anxiety, sadness, loneliness, or overwhelm. If you find yourself struggling to rest, set boundaries, or slow down, counseling can help you find a healthier, more peaceful rhythm.
Take Heart Christian Counseling exists to help you:
Calm your mind
Set boundaries
Find peace
Reconnect with God
Build healthier rhythms
Experience freedom from anxiety
If you’re ready to experience a season marked by peace instead of pressure, reach out. Contact me today to schedule your first session with a Christian counselor in Bradenton, FL—or online anywhere in Florida or Ohio. I’d be honored to walk with you.
