December Overwhelm — It’s Not What You Think
Image courtesy of Adobe Stock.
by Dr. Thomas Detert — Certified High Performance Coach
End-of-Year Overwhelm: It’s Not What You Think
December hits differently.
The lights go up. Holiday music starts playing. Families gather. Workplaces wind down. Social calendars fill up. And underneath all of that, something else rises too:
A quiet internal panic.
Every year, I see it in clients, colleagues, friends — and honestly, in myself at times.
December is supposed to be joyful, yet our stress levels climb. Our to-do lists multiply. We race against a clock that always seems to run faster this month.
But here’s the truth:
End-of-year overwhelm has very little to do with December.
It has everything to do with the stories we’re carrying into December.
Stories like:
“I have to finish the year strong or it doesn’t count.”
“I should make this the perfect holiday for everyone.”
“I need to catch up on everything I didn’t accomplish.”
“My worth is tied to how much I produce before January.”
These stories don’t inspire us — they suffocate us.
And they turn December from a season of connection and reflection…
into a month-long performance review.
But that’s not what this month is meant to be.
December isn’t a test.
It’s a transition.
A bridge from who you were to who you’re becoming.
A pause before momentum.
A chance to take a breath before the next climb.
A moment to reconnect with meaning — not pressure.
When you shift your relationship with this month, everything changes.
And to help you do that, I want to offer five practices — grounded in High Performance principles — that not only help you cope, but help you rise through the chaos.
5 Ways to Stay Grounded Through the December Paradox
1. Define Your Non-Negotiables (Clarity)
Clarity is power.
And in December, it’s freedom.
Most people aren’t overwhelmed because they have too much to do —
they’re overwhelmed because they haven’t decided what actually matters.
Your task: Write down the three things that make this month meaningful for you.
Example:
Sarah realized her non-negotiables were:
• her daughter’s Christmas concert
• one overnight trip to visit her parents
• one quiet, restorative weekend
Once she named these, everything else became optional — and her stress dropped dramatically.
2. Release Other People’s Expectations (Courage)
Courage isn’t always bold and loud.
Sometimes courage is simply saying,
“That doesn’t work for me anymore.”
We inherit a lot of holiday “shoulds” — traditions, obligations, roles we never agreed to.
You have permission to change them.
Ask yourself:
If I didn’t feel obligated, would I still choose this?
Example:
Mark had been hosting Christmas dinner for years because he had the biggest dining room.
But it exhausted him.
This year he spoke up:
“I can’t host, but I’d love to bring a dish.”
His family didn’t revolt.
They adapted.
And for the first time in years, he entered the holidays without dread.
3. Simplify Gift-Giving (Productivity)
High performers understand this:
Complexity kills joy. Simplicity sets it free.
Gift-giving doesn’t have to be a marathon of shopping, spending, and trying to outdo yourself or others.
Shift from more to meaningful.
Example:
Instead of buying 15 small gifts for coworkers, Emily wrote each person a heartfelt note acknowledging their contribution to the team — paired with a single gourmet chocolate bar.
It cost less, meant more, and became the most talked-about gift in the office.
4. Protect Your Energy Like Your Life Depends On It (Energy)
Because in many ways, it does.
Your energy is your emotional currency.
Spend it wisely.
This month, block out windows of rest — non-negotiable white space for recovery, reflection, and breathing room.
Example:
Tom created two “white-space evenings” a week.
No commitments.
No errands.
No screens.
Just margin.
The result?
He showed up to every gathering more present, more grounded, and more himself.
5. Do a 5-Minute Presence Reset Each Day (Presence)
Presence is the ultimate antidote to overwhelm.
Set a timer for five minutes.
Sit. Breathe.
Let the nervous system settle.
Ask yourself:
“What truly matters right now?”
That one question shifts you out of reactivity and back into intentional living.
Example:
Andrea began doing her presence reset each morning before the household woke up.
Within days she was calmer, less reactive, and rediscovering the joy she thought she’d lost in the holiday rush.
Her family noticed.
She noticed.
Her December transformed.
Your 24-Hour Challenge
If you truly want to break the cycle of overwhelm:
Choose ONE of the five practices above and act on it in the next 24 hours.
One conversation.
One boundary.
One simple gift.
One block of rest.
One breath of presence.
Small steps create big momentum.
Momentum creates clarity.
Clarity creates peace.
And peace is the greatest gift you can give yourself as you step into a new year.
If you want support building clarity, courage, and energy — not just in December but into 2026 — I offer a free 45-minute discovery call. Message me anytime.
Let’s finish this year with intention, not exhaustion.
Let’s rise into the next one with power.