Manage Holiday Overwhelm — Finding Calm With Anchors

While the holiday season often brings moments of joy and togetherness, it can just as easily be a time of stress and emotional complexity. 

Many of us feel the pressure of packed schedules, financial worries, or the drive to create picture-perfect gatherings. 

Sometimes, the expectation to be cheerful feels out of reach—especially when coping with changes in relationships, loneliness, or the bittersweet absence of loved ones who have passed away.​

If you’re juggling a lot, wrestling with tricky family dynamics, or just missing someone this year, know you’re not alone. 

The holidays can stir up a wide range of emotions, and acknowledging them is an important step toward well-being. 

This series will offer uplifting ideas and practical tools to nurture peace and positivity, supporting you through the challenges and joys the season will bring.

This week’s practice is all about finding your anchors—those reliable sources of calm and steadiness you can return to, even when the holiday season feels hectic or overwhelming.

Riding Out the Holiday Storm: My Go-To Anchors

This year, the holiday overwhelm hit me as soon as I glanced at my end-of-year calendar. The anticipation of packed commitments, crowded stores, tight shipping deadlines and traffic rushed through me.  

It’s true: everything seems to take longer once November rolls around. Grocery shopping, driving, running errands…I’ve learned that adding extra buffer time helps, but sometimes, no amount of planning can fully tame the chaos.​

I wondered: How will I make space for quality time with family and friends while still handling responsibilities? How do I stay grounded and calm for my coaching clients while managing my own stress? What will help me celebrate and actually enjoy the moments?

That’s when I remembered my anchors—the practices that keep me steady when I feel like I’m caught in a storm. 

• Yoga classes help me breathe and move through tension 
• Walks outside give me a break from screens and a much-needed dose of nature 
• Connecting with friends for judgment-free conversation gives me energy and perspective—even from afar. 
• Escaping with an absorbing book like a juicy Romantasy novel gives me a reset. 
• Daily snuggles with my dog are the definition of calming.
• Building strength through weight training has been empowering lately—I hope it’ll be a new anchor as the holidays ramp up.

Prioritizing these activities helps me weather the holiday storm and show up as my best self, for my family, friends, and coaching clients.

Finding Your Anchors

Think back: What practices or connections have helped you find your center before? Which would you like to draw on—or return to—throughout this season?

• What helps you feel grounded when life gets busy?
• Are there routines, hobbies, or little rituals that bring you comfort or spark a sense of joy? Maybe reading, listening to music, or a morning walk?
• When emotions run high, do you find relief in a few deep breaths, stretching, or your favorite movement?
• Who are the people that make you feel truly accepted and supported? How can you carve out time—even a quick text or call—to connect?

If ideas aren’t coming right away, don’t worry. I’ll be sharing all sorts of activities over the next few weeks that can serve as anchors during the holiday season.

This Week’s Challenge

I’d love to hear from you! 

What are your anchors during tough times?

Leave me a comment and join the conversation!

Need Support?

If you’d like personalized strategies for peace and positivity this holiday season, email me at dianna@collierclan.net for a free consultation.