Even though not everyone celebrates the holidays—and many people are still working, caregiving, or dealing with everyday responsibilities—late December often brings a change of pace. Most adults will be off work on December 25th and 26th. Others may have additional time if their workplace closes, if they’ve booked vacation days, or if these dates fall next to a weekend.
For some, this small pause is welcome—but for others, slowing down can be a challenge. There are many reasons why rest may feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable, even when the calendar finally makes space for it.
You might notice thoughts like:
- “I should be getting more done.”
- “I finally have time — I need to make it count.”
Some people have lived most of their adult lives moving at a fast pace, and rest feels like lost time.
Others carry high-functioning anxiety, where being busy becomes a way to manage worry or stay in control.
For caregivers or those who’ve always been “the responsible one,” rest can feel indulgent or impractical.
For anyone who grew up in chaotic or unpredictable environments, stillness may feel unsafe or unsettling, even decades later.
In workplaces or families where productivity is tied to worth, slowing down can stir up guilt or self-criticism, even when you’re genuinely exhausted.
These responses are patterns shaped by lived experience—and they don’t simply switch off because the calendar says it’s time to rest.
Try Slowing the Pace
Rest isn’t something you need to earn by reaching a point of exhaustion. It’s a basic human need, especially for adults who spend most of the year holding everything together, balancing competing demands, and showing up for others.
The in-between days of late December can offer a different kind of rhythm:
- a slower pace
- fewer expectations
- moments that aren’t dictated by productivity
You don’t have to retreat or make a dramatic change. Just try to explore what it feels like to move through these days with a little less urgency.
How to Slow Down When It Doesn’t Come Naturally
Choose one area to release pressure.
Let something be “good enough” for now. That might look like postponing a task, simplifying a meal, leaving a space as it is, or not responding to messages right away. Even a small shift can create breathing room.
Create tiny pockets of rest.
Rest doesn’t require full days of unstructured time. Short pauses can still make a difference.
- Watch a movie or a few episodes of a show
- Go for a walk without tracking time or steps
- Take a long shower or relax in the bath
- Read a book or magazine
- Cook something simple or familiar
- Do something creative
Small rests count.
Choose what supports you—not what the season expects.
There’s a lot of messaging this month about joy, socializing, productivity, reflection, and “making the most of the holidays.” Your experience doesn’t need to match any of that.
You might ask yourself:
- What am I doing because I feel like I should?
- What can wait until later?
- What do I actually feel like doing today?
Your needs are valid, whether they align with the season or not.
Give yourself permission not to perform.
You don’t have to be cheerful, “on,” productive, or deeply reflective during your time off. There’s no requirement to create meaning or accomplish anything.
Sometimes rest looks like doing very little.
Sometimes it looks like doing simple, comforting things.
Sometimes it looks like not having a plan.
Notice small moments of relief.
It might be a quiet moment.
It might be not having to rush anywhere.
It might be a day with no urgent responsibilities.
These moments still make a difference, even if they don’t feel special.
One Last Thing…
The in-between days of late December are not a test—of productivity, self-improvement, or emotional performance. So allow yourself to take a pause, however short or long yours may be.
If rest feels awkward, unfamiliar, or uncertain, that’s understandable—especially if you’re used to staying busy, being responsible for others, or measuring your days by what you get done. Slowing down can feel “wrong” when you’ve become accustomed to moving at full speed.
But…
You are allowed to slow the pace.
You are allowed to rest.
And know this:
Rest isn’t wasted time. It’s a basic need. It’s what allows you to recover, think more clearly, and keep going in a way that’s actually sustainable.
Need Support with Learning How to Rest?
If the pressure to stay productive all the time is getting in the way of how you want to live, therapy can help you understand why slowing down feels difficult—and support you in finding a pace that actually works for you.
I provide therapy for adults in person in North York (Toronto) and online across Ontario. If you’d like to explore working together, you’re welcome to book a first session or reach out with any questions.
