Ah, the holidays. A time of twinkling lights, festive music, and soul-crushing existential dread! You know the drill: one minute you’re sipping hot cocoa by the fire, and the next, you’re staring at your reflection in an ornament wondering why you can’t feel merry like the Hallmark movies promised. Spoiler alert: you’re not alone. The holiday blues are as common as my favorited Mariah Carey Christmas song blasting in every store.
But why do we get the blues during the most wonderful time of the year™? Maybe it’s the pressure to make every moment Instagram-perfect, or the fact that your credit card is maxed out thanks to “Secret” Santa. Or perhaps it’s the joyful holiday family drama—because nothing says “peace on earth” like arguing over who ruined the gravy.
Don’t worry. I’m not here to deck the halls with doom. Instead, let’s talk about how to deal with the holiday blues without setting your Christmas tree on fire.
- Lower Your Expectations (Yes, Even Lower)
Here’s the thing: your holidays don’t need to look like a Pinterest board. Burnt cookies? Fine. No matching family pajamas? Even better. The less pressure you put on yourself to make it magical, the more you can actually enjoy it. Set the bar low—like, trip-over-it low—and anything above that is a win.
- Schedule “Alone Time” (Hide if You Must)
Let’s face it: too much “togetherness” can make anyone cranky. If the thought of spending one more second listening to Aunt Linda’s conspiracy theories makes you want to scream, politely excuse yourself. Say you’re going to wrap gifts, meditate, or check on the turkey. In reality? Lock yourself in the bathroom, scroll TikTok, and breathe.
- Laugh at the Chaos
Your holiday tree fell over? Great story for next year. Your cat ate the turkey? Hilarious in hindsight. Your holiday card photo turned into a blooper reel? Post it anyway. The holidays are basically a comedy special waiting to happen—might as well lean into it.
- Do One Thing You Actually Enjoy
Hate caroling? Don’t go. Love baking? Bake. Can’t stand holiday parties? Decline with a smile (and maybe a made-up excuse—no judgment). The holidays are for you, too, so prioritize what makes you happy. Even if that means binge-watching horror movies while everyone else sings about jingle bells.
- Eat the Damn Cookie
Or pie. Or second slice of pie. Whatever it is, eat it without guilt. Calories don’t count during the holidays. (Okay, they do, but let’s pretend they don’t because life’s too short.)
- Remember, It’s Temporary
The holidays, much like your willpower around eggnog, don’t last forever. Soon, it’ll be January, and you can go back to complaining about the weather without anyone asking if you’ve tried peppermint tea.
So, if you’re feeling less holly and jolly this year, give yourself a break. It’s okay to feel a little “meh” amid the glitter and cheer. The best gift you can give yourself? Permission to just be human. And maybe a second helping of dessert.