How I Am Trying To Avoid Festive Burnout This Holiday Season

Festive burnout seems to be a regular occurrence for me every Christmas season. December comes round and I'm feeling like I have got no energy to do anything. Festive burnout usually means that my routine goes out the window. I literally survive and run on Christmas songs, films, hot chocolate and gingerbread. Festive burnout is real guys, honestly!

Retro letter board with "How I Am Trying To Avoid Festive Burnout" on it.

I think when November comes around, I really feel like I'm already winding down for the year. I shouldn't let that happen, after all, I still have December to get through! So when December arrives, as much as I love the festive season, festive burnout hits me like a tonne of bricks and I suffer from a severe lack of energy and overwhelmingness. 


Let's face it, Christmas and the festive season, in general, can be an overwhelming and draining month. There is so much to think about, from presents, to buying food to entertaining people at your home (safely, of course, you know, Covid and that!) that it can be a tiring experience at times. Expectations are high and it's important for myself and others to not overwhelm yourself into achieving so much. It's mentally and physically draining and the last thing you want is to fall asleep on Christmas Day with a glass of mulled wine in your hand!


Sometimes, after Christmas Day, that lull between Christmas and New Year when you have no frigging idea what day it is, is definitely one of my favourite times of the year as it's where I sit down and just chill the fuck out! Those few days are where I completely re-energise and then I feel highly motivated in the New Year and feel like I can climb Kilimanjaro! 

A retro letter board with "How I Am Trying To Avoid Festive Burnout" on it.

I've kind of made it my mission for this December to not let festive burnout completely take over me. I've tried to think of different methods I can use to stop that from happening. Here are some ideas that I am going to try to help me to avoid festive burnout during Christmas:

Fit in self-care

I'm all for promoting self-care all year round, but I need to make sure I fit in self-care in between scoffing all those pigs in blankets and Lindt chocolates. Obviously not both at the same time, that's not a good concoction. Whatever self-care is to you, do it. Make that precious time to yourself.

Plan, plan, plan!

Buy a planner, write down your festive to-do list and stay as organised as Monica Gellar at her most organised. Leaving things until the last minute at Christmas is a hell of a mistake! Also, if you plan things ahead of time, you can relax a lot more before the big day comes! I got a to-do list on my phone right now and I've organised all of my friend's/family's presents into lists and that helps an awful lot!

A retro letter board with "How I Am Trying To Avoid Festive Burnout" written on it

Not be hard on myself

This one is a really important one for me. As I said before, expectations can be awfully high at this time of year, it's important to be gentle to myself. And you too. Don't be so hard on yourself if you can't get something done. It's not worth the agonising. I know that I can't achieve everything and that's just the way it is, nobody's perfect!

Please don't be afraid to ask for help

People are there to help if needed. Especially if you're cooking and serving the Christmas dinner with 11 people in your house. Not me, just an example! I know that if I'm struggling, I'll ask for help. Whether that be my Mam or a friend, I'll see if they can help in any way. That's easier said than done though sometimes! So yes, if you're struggling to cut all the carrots and peel the spuds, ask someone to help you out!

Just breathe

Again, this one is easier said than done. When it all gets too much, I need to learn not to panic and not fret about the situation. I need to sit down, take a few deeps breathes and do things in my own time. 

A retro letter board with "How I Am Trying To Avoid Festive Burnout" written on it.

I am hoping to avoid the festive burnout this season, but you never know what's going to happen. But yes, I do want to stay as energised as I possibly can and enjoy the festive season for what it should be - happy and joyous!
37 comments
  1. Self-care is key for me, I'm looking forward to the time off so I can recharge for 2022. Nice post :)

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    1. I'm looking forward to recharge for 2022 also Anika!

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  2. The last few years pre pandemic were so hectic, getting round to see everyone's families and trying to cram so much into one short day, me and my husband now go away for Christmas just the two of us and its taken so much pressure off! You don't need to do everything for one day, its just one day, the expectations are crazy and it doesn't do anyone any good! Just breathe, relax and have a glass of something delicious haha!
    Milli x - https://millidavison.co.uk/

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    1. I like that you have taken the pressure off yourself by going away for Christmas! I agree, expectations are crazy at Christmas and it's important to not put pressure on yourself! x

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  3. This year I've really tried my best not to overwhelm myself but to enjoy the festive season!

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    1. I love that attitude Amie, just enjoy Christmas!

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  4. This is such a lovely reminder. Planning ahead, taking care of ourselves, and asking for help when we need to is key! Thank you for sharing! I hope you're having a great week so far!

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    1. It's so important to take these things into consideration when trying to avoid festive burnout!

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  5. Planning is key with Christmas. Such a busy time of year, got to make sure everything is ready as well as fitting in time for regular day-to-day activities and self care x

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    1. It is an incredibly busy time of year for us all isn't it Lea?! x

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  6. These are great tips. I definitely agree that self care is so important, especially during one of the busiest times of the year.

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    1. Even though it's hard to fit in self-care at this busy time of year, it's so important to do so! x

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  7. Self-care is definitely something I will be doing to keep as calm as possible! Thank you for these brilliant tips Lucy xx

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    1. I'm glad you're going to focus on self-care Caroline! xx

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  8. I really need to plan some time to rest this year! I just want to do nothing for a few days and not be online!

    Corinne x

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  9. Love this plan, I need to try to get there without being totally exhausted!
    Rosie

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  10. I have such a burnout when we get to the christmas period and I've tried not to but every weekend is totally booked up and whilst I've planned and planned, I've truthfully just planned too much. Now that I'm not going away for New Years maybe I might be able to relax at Christmas though! xx

    www.iridescentplaces.com

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    1. Yeah the festive burnout is real and I'm trying to fight it right now! I hope you get to relax at Christmas lovely! xx

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  11. Some great tips here my love! I feel like I have a different mindset this December, I'm still as festive as ever, but I've really dropped the pressure this year. I now know I don't have to do ALL of the things this Christmas. I'm actually really chilled out about it all. Plus I feel more organised! Loved reading this from you.
    Claire.x
    www.clairemac.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Claire!
      I'm glad that you have dropped the pressure off yourself this year and your feeling chilled about everything! x

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  12. I've tried not to overland this year!

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  13. Planning really is key for me!

    Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk

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    1. I totally agree Danielle, planning is so important!

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  14. Yes exactly. Festive season burnout is very real and for me, working in hospitality makes it more important than ever that I look after myself. ❤️
    One of these days I'll have Christmas off but until then it's self care to the max! 😂😊 Xo

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    1. Oh I agree, I work in leisure/hospitality and festive burnout can really hit hard at this time of year!
      Fit that self-care in Sarah! x

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  15. This is a great list and I definitely agree that December and Christmas should be about slowing down and just taking some time to ourselves if we can. xx

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    1. I agree Gemma, Christmas we should all slow down, but sometimes it's not possible but it's important to not overload or push yourself too much! xx

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  16. This hits so true for me this year! I plan way more to do than I can actually achieve and never get everything done. Great tips...I will keep coming back to this when I feel overwhelmed with all things festive!
    Thaks for sharing Lucy!
    Aimsy xoxo
    Aimsy’s Antics

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    1. There's always too many expectation at this time of year, but it's so important to manage them properly! x

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  17. These are great tips! I definitely feel like I'm headed down this route this year. I got myself planned and organised quite early which has meant my brain has been in festive mode for far too long and I've been in that wind down state for a while now. Definitely need to remind myself not to be too hard on myself x

    Sophie
    www.glowsteady.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Sophie!
      I like that you got organised early and have been in the festive mood for a while, even if you think you have been in that festive mood for too long! x

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  18. I always get so burnt out this time of year too, sometimes it feels like I'm trying so hard to get everything done that I miss actually getting festive! I've planned more this year though so have managed to feel a bit more chilled out!
    Amy x
    callmeamy.co.uk

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    1. I'm glad that you have managed to plan more this year and are chilling out more! x

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  19. These are great. I feel like it's been especially hard this year with the ever present pandemic over shadowing everything. I can't wait to just not stress about it anymore xx

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