5 Ways for Getting Out of a RUT During the Holidays
The holiday season is often described as the most wonderful time of the year. But for many people, it arrives with a different feeling: pressure, overwhelm, and a creeping sense that you are falling behind on something you cannot quite name. If you have been feeling stuck, disconnected, or experiencing symptoms of depression, you are not alone. Here are five practical ways to reset and find your footing during the holidays.
1. Remind Yourself What the Holidays Actually Mean to You
It is easy to get pulled into the logistical side of the season, gifts, travel, decorating, planning, and lose sight of what you actually value about this time of year. Before the season gets away from you, take a few minutes to write down what matters most to you during the holidays. Is it time with specific people? Certain traditions? A slower pace? Once you are clear on your own priorities, it becomes easier to make decisions that reflect them rather than just responding to everyone else's expectations.
2. Plan Something You Will Actually Look Forward To
Anticipation is a powerful mood shifter. When the season feels like a series of obligations, scheduling something you genuinely enjoy, whether that is a movie night, a long walk, a meal with someone you love, or a quiet afternoon at home, gives you something to hold onto. It does not have to be elaborate. Small, intentional moments of connection or enjoyment can significantly change the emotional tone of a season that otherwise feels like something to get through.
3. Let Go of Unrealistic Expectations
The holidays carry a lot of cultural messaging about what they are supposed to look like. Perfectly decorated homes, seamless family gatherings, meaningful gifts for everyone, joy on demand. Most of that is not realistic, and chasing it tends to produce frustration rather than fulfillment. Giving yourself permission to have a good enough holiday rather than a perfect one is not settling. It is one of the kindest things you can do for yourself and for the people around you.
4. Protect Your Self-Care Routine
The holidays are one of the most common times for routines to fall apart, and one of the times when having a routine matters most. Sleep, movement, and time to decompress are not luxuries during a stressful season. They are what make it possible to show up for the things you actually care about. If your routine needs to shift to accommodate the season, that is fine. But try to protect the core of it. Saying no to certain commitments in order to protect your energy is not selfish. It is necessary.
5. Check In With Yourself Honestly
Sometimes getting out of a rut starts with acknowledging you are in one. If the holidays are bringing up grief, loneliness, family stress, or old patterns, naming that honestly is more useful than pushing through and waiting for it to pass. Talking to a therapist, a trusted friend, or even journaling about what you are carrying can create enough space to move through it rather than just surviving it.
If the holiday season tends to be a difficult time for you and you would like support, Silver Lining Counseling is here. Reach out to schedule a free phone consultation.