When we think of Christmas and the Advent season leading up to it, we picture the scent of gingerbread, a time to slow down, reconnect with ourselves and loved ones, and cozy up with cheesy holiday movies (ideally with a few heartwarming childhood memories thrown in).
At least, that’s what we’d like to imagine—if only there weren’t that last-minute presentation to finish, the looming deadlines weren’t stressing us out, and customers weren’t yelling at retail workers because the discounted toy kitchen/air fryer/TV/duck confit is out of stock. Or screaming at couriers because their online-ordered pink dollhouse (strictly for girls!) didn’t arrive on time.
Feeling the contradiction?
And as if that weren’t enough, if you’re a non-out lesbian woman, you’ll likely have to deal with hetero colleagues asking such questions as: “What are you baking for your family?”,
“Do you have a good recipe my husband will actually eat? You know how men are, haha”.
Because, of course, as a woman at Christmas, you are the sacred keeper of the family hearth. If the office is already filled with the holiday spirit, it might even be a good opportunity for a coming-out moment—something I’ve written about in a previous article.
December could be a time of real stillness, an opportunity for genuine connection with yourself and others. It could truly be about love and the gift of time spent together. Instead, you’re rushing around, stressed about parking, nagged by others (and nagging others) about gifts, presentations, and reports. And it’s enough to drive anyone crazy.
So, what can you do to stay sane?
Set Boundaries!
Prioritize your tasks—because not everything dumped on you is actually urgent or essential. You and your colleagues are a team, so ask for help or say no when needed.
You don’t have to do everything yourself!
This applies at work and at home. Delegate tasks, assign responsibilities, and don’t micromanage. Trusting your coworkers or family members, even a little, and giving clear instructions can go a long way. Believe me, things will turn out fine even if you’re not the one handling everything.
Give yourself at least one evening a week a couple of hours (of me-time/) for you!
Put on a Christmas playlist, take a relaxing bath with candles, journal, meditate, or spend time on your hobbies—whatever makes you happy.
Let go (of) (or at least loosen up on) material gifts!
Gift shopping is one of the biggest stressors in December. Talk to your loved ones about skipping material presents and instead creating a new tradition—giving each other quality time:
- A nice dinner at a slightly fancier restaurant
- Theater or concert tickets
- A party, game night, or anything that brings you closer together without exhausting you.
Write a letter!
Tapping into the holiday spirit is easier if you sit down and write to your loved ones about why they are a gift in your life. You can even turn this into an Advent calendar tradition—and just writing these letters will fill you with gratitude.
Reduce your time on social media!
As Christmas approaches, your feed will be flooded with ads pressuring you to buy and with picture-perfect families in matching pajamas with flawless holiday treats. Try not to chase the “social media perfect Christmas”—because it doesn’t exist.
Only do what’s comfortable for you!
Now is not the time to take on an unfamiliar work process. Stick to tried-and-true methods that come naturally and cause less stress. If you love baking, bring homemade treats to the office. If you hate cooking the rest of the year, there’s no reason to suddenly start now.
At the end of the day, the holidays aren’t about perfect gifts or culinary masterpieces—it’s about finding the peace and love that truly recharge you during this season.
What are your tips for surviving the year-end rush?
Translated by Viki
