The holidays are a really magical time—especially for moms with young kids. Unfortunately, this time of year is also the WORST for moms with young kids.

That’s right. It can be both.

Exciting and exhausting.

Magical and maddening,

Full of wonder and insanely over-stimulating.

I used to feel guilty about this. It felt like everyone around me would talk about what fun the holidays are with little kids. Sometimes it felt like I was the only one who also felt the extra was too extra.

When Holiday Extras Extra Exhausting

I’m not kidding. I complained about a week of dress-up days in a community Facebook group a few years back. (Because in the middle of holiday shopping, party planning, and elf moving… I don’t want to get up an extra 45 minus to try to sculpt a 6-year-old’s hair to look like Cindy Lou Who.) I expected the parents there to echo my frustration, but instead, they came after me with pitchforks and called me the Grinch. 

It’s fun for the kids! Yes. It’s also good for kids to have parents who don’t collapse into a puddle of their own drool the second their over-stimulated, over-sugared children finally fall asleep.

No wonder moms are afraid to express feelings of overwhelm… 

As an aside, the holidays are just an exaggeration of what I feel ALL the time as a mom. So, if you’re nodding your head as you read this, you are my people, and you’re not alone. (And if you feel inclined to call me the Grinch, please move along.) 

Opting Out Isn’t Always an Option

So, here’s the deal. I’m not going to give the advice that you don’t have to do all the things. Because you know that. And even if you are really good at saying no, there’s so much emotion tied up in the holidays. 

I said I’d never participate in Elf on the Shelf, but when my kids begged me and said they felt sad when their classmates talked about their elves, I caved. 

No one wants their kids to feel left out or feel slighted, especially this time of year. 

So opting out isn’t a great option for many moms. 

I’m going to do as much as I can. I always do. But I also committed to take more time for myself, too, to balance things out a bit. Is it enough to make me feel energized and joyful all of the time? No. But it absolutely helps. 

(Come January 2nd, I’m reclaiming my time and energy in a BIG way. You should, too!)

Here’s my self-care shortlist to get me through the holidays.

1 – Savasana.

You know you feel at the end of a particularly strenuous yoga class and you finally area allowed to melt into the floor for a luxurious Savasana. I think of the holidays as equally intense (though more mentally than physically). That means I allow myself to skip that asana when I’m short on time (which is always these days), set a timer, and just melt. 

2 – Five-minute meditation sessions.

The second I drop the kids off at school, I sit down on my meditation cushion, open my Insight Meditation app, and take a brain break. 

3 – Get my own presents for the New Year.

After spending at least a month focusing on everyone else, it’s my turn. I already bought an online course for yoga teachers led by my amazing mentors Jason Crandell and Andrea Ferretti (Check it out!).

4 – Invest in some new yoga gear.

I’m kind of a minimalist, so I don’t buy clothes–or anything for that matter—often. But I spend 90% of my time in leggings. I’d rather buy quality yoga clothes that look good and last forever. Oh, and I’ll probably buy a few new sports bras for running while I’m at it. 

(I’m excited to try the new adidas by Stella McCartney collection* because the only thing more luxurious than new yoga clothes is designer workout clothes.

5 – Finding my people.

My Facebook post a while back was an attempt to find my people. And while it was an epic fail, I’ve found tons of people who feel the way I feel. Most of them I’ve met through my yoga classes. I’m planning to offer a new set of classes in January so I can surround myself with people who get it–and help connect those mamas with each other, too.

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How are you staying sane during this busy time? Comment below and tell me.