In this episode, I’m getting real about why December feels so much harder than it should. I break down the biology behind holiday burnout, why we keep making the same mistakes every year, and how to get through the season without completely abandoning yourself in the process. No toxic positivity, no unrealistic advice, just honest talk about navigating family stress, overspending, drinking culture, and the pressure to be “festive” when your nervous system is already depleted.
Key Takeaways
December is biologically harder. Your serotonin drops with the daylight, your circadian rhythm gets scrambled, and you’re expected to do MORE right when your baseline capacity is lowest. Understanding this helps you stop blaming yourself for struggling.
You’re solving emotional problems with behavioural solutions. Overspending isn’t really about gifts; it’s about proving you’re enough. That extra drink isn’t about celebration; it’s about tolerating uncomfortable situations. The real work is noticing what you’re actually trying to avoid.
Every choice either maintains or erodes your baseline. You don’t need to be perfect or opt out of everything. You just need to pay attention to whether each decision is keeping you intact or pushing you further into deficit. The version of you that shows up in January is a direct result of how much you abandon yourself in December.
What’s Next:
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