I absolutely love December; the glow of the holidays, the quiet magic of the winter solstice and the excitement of the upcoming winter break with my kiddos. But as much as I adore this season, I have to be honest: the lead-up can feel intense. Family life becomes a whirlwind, and the to-do list seems to grow faster than I can check things off.
Every year, I have certain traditions that I treasure—decorating the house, baking, planning special meals, choosing thoughtful gifts. These rituals fill me with joy… but they also add to my already overflowing mental load. Can you relate? That constant hum of things we need to remember, plan, schedule, pack and prepare?
In the middle of an already hectic schedule, we somehow try to squeeze in even more: holiday baking, shopping, decorating, class concerts, gift exchanges, and community events. Some days, I’m not even sure when I’ll find time to run simple errands, like making a return at Costco!
Time: Prioritizing it, protecting it, scheduling it
This becomes the real challenge of the season.
And then there’s the pressure—often self-inflicted—to make everything perfect. We slip into perfectionist parenting without even noticing it. But the truth is, we don’t need an Instagram-worthy holiday. Our kids don’t need us to recreate a magazine spread or host flawlessly curated gatherings. They need us—present, calm, connected.
Every December I have to gently remind myself to rein things in. I tend to do all the things, whether I’m hosting twenty people or just enjoying a quiet holiday with my little family. And yes, part of me genuinely enjoys it! That’s what makes it so hard to know when to stop.
But I’m learning—slowly—that the magic of this time of year isn’t in the decorations, the food or the perfectly planned atmosphere. It’s in the small moments: cuddling on the couch, doing a puzzle together, stepping outside for a snowy walk. Those are the memories that really matter. For us, with family far away, these moments of connection feel even more precious.
So if you’re feeling the weight of the mental load this December, know you’re not alone. We’re all juggling, adjusting and doing our best. May we each find balance—honouring the traditions we cherish while also protecting our time, energy and wellbeing. Here’s to a season that feels doable, meaningful and full of heart.
Sending you lots of love and positive vibes this month,
Jessica