Holiday Overwhelm??
Here’s a Simple Tool to Tackle It All..
So often the holidays feel like a marathon — one day you’re baking cookies, the next you're wrapping gifts, and somehow it all feels like it needs to be done by… yesterday!? Right?? 😂
I’m not immune either. My normal schedule has completely fallen by the wayside, and I literally chucked my 2025 desktop calendar last week. (Yes I still use old skool calendars!), I just ordered last minute Christmas presents yesterday, and, I haven’t wrapped anything yet (I’ll get to it at some point before the big day!)
So, if you’re stressed, overwhelmed, or just trying to keep your head above water, I hear you.
A few things I try to remember to keep me grounded and remembering the bigger picture anytime overwhelm rears its head. Instead of chasing perfection, try focusing on small, deliberate steps and giving yourself lots of grace. Be proud of everything you’re juggling — the joys, the highs, the lows, and even the holiday blues (if those are creeping in). Every step forward counts. 💛 And- above all- remember that you don’t have to be perfect- (or try to create the picture of what a “perfect holiday” looks like) for you/your family. You are loved and are worthy no matter what!
A Marathon… With Rest Stops
I want to share an analogy I loved from a podcast I recently listened to:
Think of holiday tasks (or any goal, really) like a marathon — but with rest stops.
Stop sign ahead? Make cookies today.
Finish holiday shopping tomorrow.
Wrap gifts the next day.
Each small mini-goal moves you closer to the finish line without burning you out.
And the best part? This approach works for anything that feels overwhelming.
The AVP Method: A Simple Emotional Reset
Another tool that comes in handy this time of year is the AVP method. Have you heard of this before? I like to use it when various things pop up (as they do) in life. It is a simple emotional regulation skill that helps calm your body and mind:
Acknowledge – Notice what you’re feeling.
“Hi stress. Hi anxiety. I SEE you.” (yes I find naming it and saying it out loud helpful!)
Validate – Your feelings make sense.
“Of course I feel stressed — I have a lot to do /a lot on my plate.”
Permit – Give yourself permission to feel it.
“It’s perfectly okay to feel overwhelmed right now.”
Then add —( and this part matters):
“AND I can cope with it! ” 💪
This quick process helps regulate your nervous system and brings you back into clarity so you can move forward with more ease.
Breathe Through It. Give Yourself Grace.
Don’t wait until the very last day to do everything.
Celebrate the small wins — cookies baked, gifts wrapped, emails sent.
And most importantly: be freaking proud of yourself. ❤️
P.S. A Gentle Note About 2026…
If you’re craving clarity heading into the new year, I’m opening a waitlist for my free Vision 2026 Blueprint Sessions this January.
These 90-minute coaching calls are designed to help you:
Get clear on what you truly want
Break big goals into meaningful mini-steps
Walk away with a personalized roadmap for 2026
👉 Join the waitlist here Click Link .
Or, any questions feel free to text me or email at Jen@JenniferLeeCoach.com
Here’s to small steps, big clarity, and a joyful holiday season.
You’re doing more than you realize — and you’re doing it beautifully.
Warmly,
Jen