By the time December arrives, most of us are running on fumes.
It’s that strange stretch of the year when end-of-year stress and celebration collide – you’re both exhausted and expected to be joyful. The to-do lists multiply, inboxes overflow, and social calendars fill with people you haven’t seen since last Christmas. You’re holding on for the holidays, but instead of winding down, everything seems to speed up.
For many workplaces, this period brings a final burst of urgency – a collective push to meet deadlines, finish projects, and close things out before the break.
When I worked at Salesforce, that feeling was amplified. Our financial year ran from February 1 to January 31, which meant December wasn’t a wind-down – it was Q4, the most intense and high-pressure quarter of the year.
It was all about pressure and push: closing deals, finalising projects, hitting targets, completing mandatory training, and preparing for the new year ahead.
The result was a blur of professional deadlines and personal commitments, all converging at once. That overlap between workplace demands and seasonal expectations is a perfect recipe for end-of-year stress. When your workload spikes just as your energy dips, even small tasks can start to feel heavier than usual.
The December Double Load
December brings a unique kind of pressure.
At work, expectations ramp up. Everyone’s trying to close off projects before the break, tie up loose ends, and prove they’ve delivered value for the year. Deadlines that could easily roll into January suddenly become “must-dos” because everyone wants a clean slate.
At home, there’s a different kind of load – emotional, social, and financial. People who’ve been too busy to connect all year suddenly want to fit in catch-ups. There’s a cultural rush to “finish everything” – from friendships to inboxes – as though life resets on January 1.
Add the emotional weight of family expectations, crowded calendars, and the pressure to feel festive, and it’s no wonder many of us end the year completely spent.
We talk so much about how to start the year strong, but not enough about how to end it gently.
The Myth of Finishing Strong
The phrase “finish strong” gets thrown around a lot in December. It sounds motivating – but it can easily become another source of pressure.
Sometimes “finishing strong” actually means “keep pushing even though you’re exhausted.” It means ignoring your body’s cues and promising yourself that you’ll rest later – after the deadlines, after the social events, after Christmas.
But rest doesn’t happen by accident.
If you’re already stretched by December, waiting for the holidays to fix everything is like waiting for a weekend to ‘solve’ stress.
Real recovery starts now – with the small choices you make in the final stretch.
How to Protect Yourself From End of Year Stress
What if, instead of finishing strong, you focused on finishing well?
And by finishing well, I mean by protecting your energy so you can actually enjoy what you’ve achieved.
That starts with two things: boundaries and realism.
Be honest about what’s truly achievable. There are only so many hours in a day, and no amount of guilt will stretch them.
If people want to catch up before the end of the year but your schedule is already full, it’s ok to say:
I’d love to, but let’s do it in January when things calm down.
The people who haven’t had time all year will understand – they’re probably just as overloaded and feeling guilty too.
Protecting Your Space Before the Chaos Hits
If you already know December will be hectic, block time out now.
A couple of days, a few half-days, or even a few hours – make them non-negotiable. Protect them like you would an important meeting.
Make sure you’re getting your regular walk in, your gym time, or whatever helps you reset. Don’t let that slip. Everything else can work around you.
This is the month when prioritising you becomes essential, not optional.
I read a quote by Cory Allen that captures this perfectly:
You can move at your own speed and let the world bend around you, or you can move at the world’s pace and be bent by the world.
That line really stuck with me.
December is when the world’s pace feels relentless – but you don’t have to bend yourself to fit the chaos. Let the world bend around you for once.
That’s not selfishness – that’s self-respect.
Five Ways to Ease Holiday Stress and Stay Grounded
1. Plan rest the same way you plan work.
Don’t wait for a gap to appear – schedule it. Whether it’s a full day or a few hours, treat it as sacred time.
2. Choose calm over obligation.
Not every invitation deserves your “yes.” Pick a few that genuinely matter and say no to the rest – kindly, but firmly.
3. Slow your mornings.
Even if the day is packed, start it gently. A walk, a quiet coffee, or five minutes of stillness can shift your whole mood.
4. Set softer goals for December.
Instead of chasing perfection, ask: What would feel good to complete this month? Then let the rest wait.
5. Reflect, don’t rush.
Before jumping into New Year planning, take a moment to acknowledge what you’ve already carried, achieved, and survived this year. You’ve done more than you think.
Redefining What a “Good Finish” Looks Like
We often treat the end of the year like a race – something to conquer.
But what if you approached it like a landing instead?
A gentle descent.
A moment to catch your breath before taking off again.
You don’t have to do it all.
You don’t have to attend every party or say yes to every request.
Some things can wait – it’s important to leave a little space for yourself.
A good finish comes when your pace and your priorities are in sync. When you can look back and feel you stayed true to yourself.
And if that means slowing down, saying no, or stepping back – that’s wisdom, not weakness.
The Gift of Permission
If there’s one thing I hope you take from this, it’s permission.
Permission to rest before you break.
Permission to be realistic.
Permission to say no – even when others don’t understand.
December will always be busy, but how much of that busyness you participate in is up to you.
Give yourself the space to breathe, the grace to pause, and the courage to let the world bend around you.
Because the best way to start the new year strong is to end this one gently.
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