Staying Organized (and Grounded) During the Holidays
Dec 16, 2025 7:45 pm
Hello ,
The holidays tend to amplify everything. Full calendars, heightened expectations, emotional pressure, and decision fatigue. Even when things are “good,” it can start to feel like a lot.
This week, I want to share two reflections that are closely connected.
The first looks at how to stay organized during the holidays without burning out — not through perfection, but through simple structure, awareness, and grounded routines that support your energy and focus.
The second zooms in on one very common source of overwhelm this time of year: impulse spending. When stress is high, it’s easy to react instead of pause. A few intentional questions can create clarity — and calm — before overwhelm sets in.
Both are about the same thing at their core:
using structure to reduce pressure and make more intentional choices during busy seasons.
How to Stay Organized During the Holidays (Without Losing Your Mind)
Are you starting to panic a little because the holiday season is suddenly… here?
Is the whirlwind of tasks, events, and expectations starting to feel like too much?
You’re not alone.
Even I feel the pressure — but I rely on a system and a mindset to keep things manageable, intentional, and calm.
The good news?
Staying organized during this season doesn’t require perfection.
It simply requires structure and awareness.
Here’s the system I use to stay grounded:
🔹 Stick to your regular exercise schedule and nourish your body.
This is not the moment to abandon good habits or reach for whatever is convenient.
Your health routines are what help keep your energy and resilience steady.
🔹 Keep a tight, prioritized task list.
Update it often so you’re consistently putting time into your highest-priority items.
No exceptions.
🔹 Start your day by writing down what truly needs your attention.
This simple act gives your brain clarity and direction — reducing stress before it starts.
Pro Tips for Navigating Holiday Overwhelm
Break tasks into manageable parts.
Don’t view your to-do list as a mountain.
Think of it as a series of small hills — each one gets you closer to the summit.
Delegate wisely and reschedule what isn’t essential.
Move non-urgent items to a more convenient time (even next year).
Everything doesn’t need to happen now.
Protect your sleep.
Good rest keeps your executive functioning sharp — which you’ll need, because unexpected challenges always show up this time of year.
Progress Over Perfection
It’s absolutely okay to adjust your expectations.
Better to finish something at a “B” level than never finish it at all because you were chasing “A”-level perfection.”
Progress is the goal — not flawlessness.
And as you move through this season, remember to create room for balance.
Take breaks, practice self-care, and celebrate your wins (even the tiny ones).
You are allowed to enjoy this season, not just survive it.
What is one small shift you could make this week that would help your holiday season feel calmer and more intentional?
If you’d like help creating structure that works with your brain — especially during busy seasons — coaching can make a tremendous difference.
Do You Have Impulse Control Issues Around Spending This Time of Year?
The holidays can make spending feel urgent and emotional. When stress is high, decisions happen fast, and often without much pause.
Here’s a simple spending habit that builds financial clarity:
Before every purchase — big or small — pause and ask yourself three questions:
💵 Is this the best use of my money right now?
This helps you check timing and priorities.
💡 Why do I feel the need to buy this?
This question brings awareness to motivation, excitement, pressure, or emotion.
💡 What will this add to my life that I don’t already have?
This invites honesty about whether the purchase adds something meaningful or simply fills a moment.
These three questions shift spending from an emotional reaction into a thoughtful choice. The pause alone often creates enough clarity to reduce impulse.
Financial discipline isn’t about restriction.
It’s about alignment — making sure your money supports what genuinely matters to you.
▶️ Think ahead, too:
Will the future credit card bill cause overwhelm or anxiety when it arrives if you make this purchase now?
A moment of awareness today can prevent stress later.
If you’ve found other strategies that help with impulse spending during the holidays, notice what works for you — awareness builds over time.
Clarity doesn’t come from restriction — it comes from support.
If decision fatigue or impulse spending shows up when stress is high, coaching can help you slow the moment down, strengthen awareness, and build habits that align your choices with what truly matters to you.
Let’s explore what intentional support could look like for you.
Whether you’re guiding a team or focusing on your own goals, productivity starts with clarity, trust, and intentional choices.
I help professionals get out of their own way so they can optimize their time and finally make things happen.
If you’re ready to create more space, structure, and results in your work and life, let’s connect.
Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation for coaching and speaking opportunities.
Contact Juli at: balance@coachjuli.com
