How I'm Creating a Stress Free Holiday Season (Without Going Off the Grid)

Every year, the holidays sneak up on me. One minute it’s Halloween, and the next it’s a full calendar, crowded stores, and a dozen people asking, “Can you make it?” I’ve spent more than enough years running on coffee and nerves to know I don’t want that anymore. This year, I’m choosing something different—a slower, more intentional, and yes, stress free holiday season. Not perfect. Just peaceful enough to actually enjoy it.

I’m being honest about what I can handle for a stress free holiday season

For a long time, I said yes to everything because I thought that’s what a good friend, business owner, or family member should do. I’d agree to plans weeks in advance, and by the time the day arrived, I’d already feel that familiar sense of dread—the kind that creeps in when you know you’ve overcommitted. I’d show up anyway, running on autopilot, irritated before I even got there, and wondering why I didn’t just listen to myself sooner.

Now, I’m more honest about what I can handle. If I’m tired, I stay home. If I’ve already had a full week of clients or events, I protect my downtime to reset, reconnect with family, or simply catch up on life. It’s better to say no early—“I already have a full week, and I need that day to recharge”—than to agree and cancel last minute. That kind of honesty feels cleaner to me. It fuels trust, not tension or disappointment.

And I’ve realized most people get it. Everyone’s stretched thin this time of year, and chances are, they’ve felt the same way too. Saying no isn’t rude—it’s responsible. It allows me to show up with happy, go lucky energy when I do say yes, instead of spreading myself so thin that I start resenting the things I actually want to enjoy.

I’d rather be fully present for fewer moments than distracted and drained for all of them. That’s what balance looks like for me right now—fewer obligations, more intention.

I’m keeping one small ritual consistent

One of the biggest shifts I’ve made is protecting my routine, even when things get busy. I prebook time for work, the gym, and my hobbies before anything else goes on my calendar. Those what I like to call “me times” are non-negotiable. They’re how I stay anchored when everything else around me starts to feel chaotic.

It’s easy to let those things slide when the calendar fills up, but every time I do, I notice how quickly I lose my rhythm. Taking care of myself isn’t about squeezing in a quick moment here and there—it’s about scheduling it on purpose, before the world has a chance to claim my time.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. Some weeks, my version of a ritual is just sticking to my morning workout or giving myself an hour at night to read or plan. But those small routines remind me that I’m allowed to prioritize myself too. They keep me balanced and help me show up to everything else with a clear head and better energy.

I find quiet, even when life isn’t quiet

This one’s a little niche, but it’s honestly become one of my favorite ways to stay calm: I use noise-canceling headphones even when I’m not listening to anything. Sometimes I’ll play an audiobook, sometimes it’s just silence—but either way, it helps me block out the chaos.

During the holidays, I swap out loud music for audiobooks in the car. There’s something about the rhythm of a narrator’s voice that feels grounding—it slows me down, keeps me present, and turns even errands or traffic into a reset moment. It’s my version of peace when everything else feels overstimulating.

Whether I’m driving, working out, or walking through crowded stores, it gives me permission to slip into my own world for a bit. It’s not about tuning people out—it’s about finding a pocket of quiet that helps me tune back into myself.

What I’ve Learned

After plenty of trial and error, I’ve learned that creating a stress free holiday season isn’t about avoiding people or pretending I don’t care—it’s about being honest with myself. I don’t need to show up to every event or agree to every plan. The holidays are meant to be enjoyable, not something that feels like another job.

For me, having a healthy holiday mindset means knowing my limits and protecting them. When I overload my schedule, skip workouts, or ignore the routines that keep me balanced, my energy disappears fast. Staying grounded during the holidays looks like giving myself room to breathe, saying no before I burn out, and remembering that quiet time isn’t wasted—it’s what keeps me steady.

I’ve realized peace doesn’t just happen; you have to make space for it. And that doesn’t make the season any less special—it actually makes it better. I show up more present, less irritable, and more like myself.

One thing that really helps me stay centered is using noise-canceling headphones. Whether I’m driving, working out, or shopping, sometimes I just need to tune out the noise and reset. I’ll link the pair I use below. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission if you decide to grab them too, but they’ve become one of my favorite small ways to stay calm during the holidays.

Wishing everyone a calm, cozy, and genuinely beautiful holiday season—happy Hanukkah to my fellow Jews and merry Christmas to everyone celebrating, may it all feel a little lighter this year.