A gentle December survival guide for us all
- Callie Di Nello
- Dec 12, 2025
- 5 min read
December can be … a lot.
Even if you love twinkly lights, cosy socks, the smell of cinnamon, and being covered in wrapping paper and sellotape, this time of year can be overwhelming. Especially for those of us who are living with chronic illness, grief, disability, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, ADHD brain-chaos, or any combination of the above and so much more.
For many of us, December isn’t glitter and mulled wine. We are on red-alert: exhaustion, pressure, expectations, money stress, complicated family dynamics, loneliness, or simply too much noise and not enough quiet.
So if your nervous system is a little fried, if you are tired before the festivities are in full swing, if you feel like you are trying to hold everything together … believe me, you are not alone.
The good news is:- small supportive practices can genuinely help us survive (and maybe even enjoy) some of the festive chaos.
The Mobilates resources shared in our Togetherness session on 2nd December and in our newsletter included:
the December Survival Toolkit
the December Survival Guide, and
the Comfort Box Checklist
All of which were chock-full of practical, gentle tools for navigating the festive season with more ease and less overwhelm. This blog brings them together so you can dip into whatever you need.
Begin With an Energy Budget
One of the most helpful ideas in the December Toolkit (I think) is the Energy Budget: a reminder that your energy is a limited resource. So each day, gently ask yourself:
what drains me?
what nourishes me?
what is essential for me to do today?
That’s it. Not “what should I be doing?”; not “who do I need to deal with today?”; just what’s possible today. You don’t need to do everything. Choosing less is self-compassion; you choosing to do less is choosing yourself above everything else - and that right there is strength and courage.
Permission Granted
If you need permission, here it is:
Say no.
Leave early.
Change your mind.
Ask for help.
Rest.
You are allowed to protect your peace: in fact, its essential. You are allowed to decline invitations. You are allowed to choose stillness instead of sparkle. A suggested sentence from the toolkit that might help to practice is:
“Thank you for thinking of me. I’m keeping things simple this year.”
Two-Minute Nervous System Reset
If you feel overloaded or spinning mentally, try this tiny reset:
breathe in for 4 counts, hold for a count of 4 (if its safe for you to do so), breathe out for a count of 6
place your hands lightly on your heart - or around a warm drink
look around the room and name 5 things you can see
Small moments where we can ‘regulate’ ourselves are not trivial: they are powerful.
Planning for the Hard Bits
A little preparation reduces panic. One suggestion from the Survival Guide is:
identify what might be difficult (ha! we are masters at this, aren’t we?!) plan escape routes and self-soothing strategies that work for you prepare gentle boundary phrases like:
• “Let’s change the subject”
• “I can stay for an hour, then I’ll need to go”
Boundaries aren’t about pushing people away. They are all about keeping yourself safe enough so that you can stay connected while feeling safe.
If Money Worries Are Heavy
With rising living costs, financial pressure around Christmas can be huge - this year is no exception. The Survival Guide suggests:
set realistic limits
consider low-cost options and homemade gifts
take breaks from social media’s “perfect Christmas” narrative - we know there’s no such thing, but it can be wearing to see it shoved in your face 24/7
Your worth is not measured by the price of presents. A simple gift can be listening, presence, or kindness.
I particularly love Martin Lewis’s thoughts about Christmas gifting, and adopted this myself a few years ago with my close friends and family: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/2009/11/is-it-time-to-ban-christmas-presents/
If You Are Spending Christmas Alone
Being alone does not mean being unloved, although I appreciate it may well feel that way. The Survival Guide recommends:
creating your very own personalised Comfort Box - just for you
planning tiny supportive rituals
having a planned call or join our Mobilates’ fabulous Mob Magic WhatsApp group (members please ask if you need the link to join)
choosing an intention that makes you feel good: maybe something along the lines ‘rest’, ‘peace’, or ‘creative space’
And here is where the Comfort Box Checklist comes in … I hope you like the idea, as its all about nurturing yourself with tangible care.
Create a Comfort Box
It doesn’t need to be fancy. Simply gather things that help your nervous system feel safe. For example:
Comfort items: favourite snuggly blanket, warm socks, candle or fairy lights, essential oils or hand cream, heat pad
Nourishment: favourite teabags or blends, easy comfort-meal ingredients, snacks you love
Emotional Support: playlist of songs that soothe, poems or blessings, a photo that reminds you of joy
Connection: Mobilates session schedule, names of people you can message
Your Comfort Box is not frivolous. It is strategy and care.
“Your wellbeing matters and you are loved.”
The Micro-Joys Practice
Look for one tiny spark each day: it might be fairy lights, a favourite song, a cosy pair of socks, a silly film, a warm drink, a friendly face.
Micro-joys don’t fix everything. But they help. They stitch light into the dark.
Stay Connected
If you feel isolated or overwhelmed, Mobilates is always a safe space for you.
You don’t have to be okay to come. You don’t have to pretend. Turn your camera off, stay in pyjamas, sit under a blanket … you are always welcome.
As the Survival Guide says: “Asking for help is strength, not failure.”
If you ever need crisis support:
Samaritans 116 123 • SHOUT text 85258 • NHS 111 • 999 if unsafe
A Gentle Reminder
You are allowed to choose the version of December that supports you best.
If your December looks like:
slow mornings
leaving early
doing less
watching films on the sofa
crying when you need to
celebrating tiny victories
… then that is your December all wrapped up.
You matter.
You belong.
You are doing brilliantly.
Here at Mobilates we see you, we hear you, we love you.
More resources are available in our Wellbeing Support Signposting Guide https://www.mobilates.com/post/mobilates-wellbeing-support-signposting-guide
Written by Callie Di Nello
Togetherness Facilitator, Hypnotherapist, Creative Arts Practitioner and Wellbeing Coach
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