Merry, Bright, and Overbooked: Coping with Chaotic Schedules and Overcommitment During the Holidays

Ah, the holidays. The season of twinkling lights, cookies, presents, and so. much. stuff. on. the. calendar. Ever look at your December calendar and feel like you need to start scheduling your bathroom breaks just so you don't have to wait until January to go? Yup, same. Between family gatherings, work parties, shopping, meal prep, and somehow pretending to be a fully functioning, cheerful human, many of us feel stressed.

For some people, the holidays are stressful for deeper reasons: family conflict, financial pressure, grief, or loneliness. This post doesn't focus on those challenges, and they deserve more care and support than a single blog entry can offer (and we're sending you a big hug).

But if one of your concerns is that you're overwhelmed and exhausted from saying yes to everything? This is for you.

Why We Do This to Ourselves

Every year, I tell myself I'm going to start earlier, buy presents ahead of time, do the food shopping in advance, and say no to at least one party, group dinner, or hosting gig. And every year, I wait until the last minute to buy gifts and shop for food. Oh, and saying no to an event? Still hasn't happened.

Most of us are overbooked and overwhelmed during the holidays, and pretending otherwise only adds to the stress. So why do we keep doing this?

Part of it is that we're (unrealistically) optimistic about "future us;" we think that they'll have more time, more energy, and a color-coded planner that will perfectly organize everything that needs to be done.

There's also guilt about saying no, comparing ourselves to that one coworker who somehow juggles everything and has never once looked tired, and a touch of FOMO sprinkled in convincing us we shouldn't miss anything.

What Actually Helps

It doesn't have to be a nonstop sprint from one obligation to the next. CBT skills and intentional self-care can help you navigate the season more smoothly:

Clarify your values (or figure out your non-negotiables)

Before deciding what to say yes to, take a moment to check in with yourself. Ask:

• What would genuinely disappoint me if it didn't happen?

• What do I want this season to feel like?

• What am I doing out of obligation or fear?

  
  

Your answers can help guide what gets your time and attention.

Prioritize what truly matters

Next, look at your commitments and identify which actually align with your values. These are "yeses." The rest? You're allowed to decline or simplify.

Protect what keeps you grounded

Schedule ways to recharge during the chaos. Focus on 1–2 activities that help you feel grounded, like a workout, therapy session, call with a friend, or a walk with your dog. Block them on your calendar so they don't get lost.

Reflect and adjust

Check in with yourself regularly. What's working? What's draining? What can you gently let go of?

The Merry and Mindful Worksheet

To make this easier, we created the Merry and Mindful Worksheet. It helps you:

• Map your obligations

• Prioritize what brings joy

• Identify tasks to delegate or simplify

• Plan intentional self-care

• Reflect on what's working (and what isn't)

  
  

You can turn holiday chaos into a season you actually enjoy, without losing your sanity.

Merry & Mindful Worksheet.pdf

Download PDF • 58KB

Ready to manage your holiday overwhelm? Contact us to learn more about our services.