Living One Day at a Time During the Holidays

Finding Peace Amid the Holidays Chaos

The holidays carry an odd duality. On one hand, they’re filled with lights, music, and a promise of connection. On the other, they can amplify loneliness, exhaustion, and an overwhelming sense of “not enough.” For some, it’s a reminder of who or what is missing. For others, it’s the pressure of giving more than they can afford—physically, emotionally, and financially.

But here’s the truth: peace isn’t found in the perfect holiday card, the size of the gifts under the tree, or even in keeping up with family traditions. Peace is created. It’s nurtured. And this year, let’s choose peace by living one day—one moment—at a time.

Choose Self-Love Over Sacrifice

Many of us have been taught to equate love with sacrifice, especially during the holidays. “Give until it hurts” is the unspoken mantra. But love isn’t about running yourself into the ground; it’s about pouring from a place of abundance. You can’t give what you don’t have.

This season, start with yourself. Ask yourself hard, honest questions:

• What do I need to feel whole right now?
• What would truly nourish me—physically, emotionally, spiritually?
• What boundaries do I need to set to protect my energy and my joy?

Self-love might look like saying “no” to an invite, taking a long walk to clear your mind, or carving out time to do absolutely nothing. It’s in the small, intentional acts that you remind yourself: I matter too.

Practice Mindfulness: Be Where Your Feet Are

There’s a tendency to spiral during the holidays—to think three steps ahead or replay the past over and over again. “Will dinner be perfect?” “Did I spend enough?” “Why can’t things feel like they used to?”

But when you live in the “what ifs” or the “what was,” you rob yourself of the beauty of what is.

Mindfulness is not about ignoring reality or pretending things are perfect. It’s about finding the sacred in the ordinary. It’s noticing the warmth of the sun on your face, the sound of your favorite song, the way your breath steadies when you take a moment to pause.

When you’re overwhelmed, ground yourself in the present.

• Take three deep breaths. Feel your chest rise and fall.
• Focus on your senses. What do you see, hear, smell, or feel in this exact moment?
• Remind yourself that this moment, however imperfect, is enough.

The power of mindfulness is that it teaches us that peace isn’t found in the absence of chaos; it’s found in how we respond to it.

Reconnect with Those Who Matter Most During the Holidays 

It’s easy to get caught up in the transactional nature of the holidays—spending more, doing more, proving more. But at its core, this season is about connection. Not just being around people, but truly being with them.

Think about the people who make your soul lighter, who see you and love you as you are. Maybe it’s a childhood friend, a sibling, a mentor, or even your own children. Prioritize those connections.

• Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Don’t text—call.
• Sit down for a meal without phones or distractions. Look each other in the eye and share stories.
• Write a heartfelt letter or card. Sometimes the most profound gift is letting someone know how much they mean to you.

And if you feel like you have no one, look for opportunities to connect with others who may be in the same boat. Volunteer at a shelter. Join a local group. Human connection doesn’t always have to be deep or longstanding to be meaningful.

Living One Day at a Time

It’s tempting to think you need to have it all figured out—what gifts to buy, what parties to attend, what you’ll say when the family dynamics get messy. But the truth is, you don’t.

Living one day at a time means giving yourself permission to release the pressure to solve it all. It’s okay to take things as they come, to adjust, to ask for help, or to change your mind.

• Wake up each morning and set one intention. It could be as simple as, “Today, I will focus on gratitude,” or “Today, I will give myself grace.”
• Celebrate small victories: making it through a tough conversation, finding a moment to laugh, or even just getting out of bed when it feels impossible.
• End your day with reflection. What went well? What are you proud of? What can you let go of?

A Season of Grace, Not Perfection

This holiday season, let’s do away with the idea of perfection. No one’s life looks like a Hallmark card. Everyone is carrying something, even if they don’t show it.

Give yourself grace. Give others grace. And remember, the most meaningful moments of this season aren’t found in the extravagant—they’re found in the quiet acts of love, the fleeting moments of joy, and the connections that remind you that you are never truly alone.

Take it one day at a time, and let that be enough. Because you are enough—today, tomorrow, and always.