Strategies to Cope When the Weight of the Holiday Season Feels Too Heavy
✨ You Don’t Have to Carry It All: Finding Lightness When the Holidays Feel Heavy ✨
The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness—but the truth is, for many people, it can feel incredibly heavy. While others seem to glide through December with excitement, you might notice a knot in your stomach, a sense of pressure, or an emotional weight that feels hard to explain. And that’s okay. The holidays are complex. They can bring up grief, family tension, financial stress, loneliness, unmet expectations, or memories that aren’t always warm.
If the season feels heavier than it looks on Instagram, you are absolutely not alone.
Why the Holidays Can Feel Overwhelming
Even in the best of circumstances, the holidays come with:
High expectations—from family, culture, social media, and ourselves
Emotional triggers—old wounds, family patterns, or past losses
Disrupted routines—less sleep, more commitments, feeling “on” all the time
Financial pressure—gifts, travel, events, hosting
Loneliness—even in a room full of people
Sometimes, the weight comes from trying to hold everything together while keeping a smile on your face.
You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
What if this year looked different? What if you gave yourself permission to set down even a
small part of the emotional load?
You deserve support—whether that means confiding in someone you trust, setting healthier
boundaries, or reaching out for therapy. You don’t have to be the strong one all the time. You
don’t have to pretend. You don’t have to push through without help.
Small Ways to Lighten the Load
Here are gentle, realistic ways to honour your emotional needs this season:
1. Give yourself permission to feel exactly how you feel.
You don’t need to convince yourself it’s “not that bad.” Your emotions are valid.
2. Set boundaries without guilt.
It’s okay to say no to gatherings, conversations, or obligations that drain you.
3. Create tiny moments of peace.
Even five minutes alone with your breath, your journal, or quiet music can help regulate your
nervous system.
4. Reach out instead of withdrawing.
Sharing your feelings with a supportive friend, partner, or therapist can instantly lessen the
weight.
5. Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish.
It’s necessary—especially now.
If You Need Support, It’s Here
If your holidays feel heavy this year, please know there is nothing wrong with you. Many people feel the same way but feel pressured to hide it. You deserve a space where your feelings can be held with care, where you can breathe, and where you don’t have to pretend everything is fine.
You don’t have to carry all of this on your own. Support is available. At CBT Wellness & Virtual
Services, we offer compassionate, affordable therapy for children, teens, and adults. Book a free 15-minute consultation with me, Sapna, or one of our other therapists. We can provide some comfort, calm, and practical tools to help you through this season.
