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Navigating the Holidays Without Losing Yourself (Again)

ByNicole Doria

Every year around this time, I swear I blink and suddenly we’re here… Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas lights going up, and my brain whispering “oh great… here we go.”

And maybe you feel that too.

The mix of excitement, dread, nostalgia, stress, food noise, and the subtle panic of “how am I supposed to stay on track during this circus?”

But this year, I’m trying something different… not “perfect,” not “on track,” not “this time I’ll totally have discipline.”

Just… intentional.

And honestly, that idea has been woven through so many things I’ve written this past year.

So here’s what I’m telling myself going into this season… pulled straight from my own past reminders.

My Additional Resources for the Holidays

This one walks you through how to navigate Thanksgiving with more presence, less stress, and a plan that actually supports your goals. Inside, you’ll find practical strategies for slowing down, mindful eating, and making intentional choices even when the holiday feels overwhelming.

It includes tips for managing portions, savoring your food, politely handling food pushers, and deciding whether to maintain, enjoy the day, or stick to your deficit.

You’ll also get lighter swap ideas, tried-and-true recipe links, and creative ways to handle leftovers without derailing your progress.

1. Be thankful for the hard things… yes, the hard things

(From: You Could Be Thankful For Doing The Hard Things This Thanksgiving…)

I wrote recently about being thankful for the stuff that wasn’t fun, the stuff that stretched me, the stuff I didn’t want to do but did anyway.

The truth is: those moments are the reason I’m even capable of handling a season like this.

If you’ve been doing hard things… making choices, learning boundaries, messing up and coming back… you alreadyhave what you need.

Going into the holidays with that perspective feels different.

Less fear.

More grounding.

More “I’ve done harder things than this.”

2. Maintenance is not giving up… it’s a strategy

(From: Diet Breaks: An Intentional Maintenance Period)

If there’s ever been a season that invites maintenance, it’s this one.

Not “falling off.”

Not “giving up.”

Not “starting over in January.”

Just making a conscious choice to hit pause on pushing and simply… sustain.

Maintenance is a deliberate decision, not a default failure.

It’s the difference between drifting and choosing.

And honestly?

Intentional maintenance > unintentional spiraling

Every. Single. Time.

3. Holiday mode is basically vacation mode

(From: Weight Worries, Holiday Fun & “Vacation Mode”)

Holidays have the same vibe as vacations:

less structure, more emotions, more food, more social pressure, less control.

That means the same tools apply:

  • How do I want to feel after this?
  • What choices help me feel that way?
  • What choices make me feel the opposite?

Not “what’s allowed?”

Not “what’s too much?”

Just: How do I want to feel?

Sometimes the simplest questions interrupt the loudest panic.

4. You don’t need to be “ready”… you just need small anchors

(From: UGH! The holidays are here already.)

I said it before: I wasn’t ready. Not mentally, not emotionally, not logistically.

But you don’t have to be ready to navigate something well.

You just need small anchors — tiny stabilizers that keep you from drifting:

  • Bring a dish you feel good about.
  • Drink water like it’s your job.
  • Eat slow & pause before seconds.
  • Take a walk after the meal.
  • Check in with yourself before the day even starts.

Little things add up, especially in chaotic seasons.

5. And no… it’s not crazy to want goals during the holidays

(From: Is it crazy to try to lose weight now?)

It’s not crazy… it’s just complicated.

If you want progress, go for smaller, flexible goals:

  • Move daily (even 10 minutes).
  • Stay aware of hunger cues.
  • Keep a few routines intact.
  • Catch spirals early rather than after three weeks.

But if it becomes too heavy?

If it steals your joy?

If it feels impossible with everything else happening?

You get to pivot.

You get to choose maintenance.

You get to change direction without punishing yourself.

There’s strength in adjusting, not just pushing through

6. A handful of simple survival tools for the actual holidays

Nothing complicated. Nothing extreme. Just things I know help:

  • Don’t skip meals earlier in the day: Skipping breakfast or lunch to “save room” often backfires.  
  • Bring a dish you love (and that aligns with how you want to feel): If you bring something, you know there will be at least one thing you enjoy.  
  • Practice mindful eating: Slow down, engage your senses, and check in with your body’s hunger and fullness cues.  
  • Stay hydrated and moderate alcohol: Water helps digestion, and being mindful about alcohol can reduce overconsumption.  
  • Pause for gratitude: Before eating, take a moment to appreciate the effort behind the meal, the people, and what this season means to you.  
  • Use smaller plates / control portions: Helps with portion awareness without feeling deprived.  
  • Move after big meals: Even a 10–20 minute walk helps with digestion, blood sugar, and energy.  
  • Prepare for emotional or stress-triggered eating: Notice your feelings before you reach for more.  
  • Plan for recovery: If things feel like they went off track, know that a setback is not the end… you can gently bring yourself back.  

7. Come back to your why

Because that’s what stabilizes everything.

Not the scale.

Not the pressure.

Not the fear of “ruining” anything.

Your why:

  • How you want to feel.
  • Who you are trying to become.
  • What kind of life you’re building long-term.

Your why makes the noise quieter.

8. Give yourself grace and honesty

The holidays are messy. Emotional. Beautiful. Stressful. Nostalgic. Overwhelming. Fun.

All of it at once.

You don’t need perfection.

You don’t need discipline mode.

You don’t need to micromanage every bite.

What you need is:

  • Honesty about what’s happening.
  • Grace for the parts that don’t go perfectly.
  • And the willingness to keep going… gently, intentionally, imperfectly.

You can pivot.

You can maintain.

You can enjoy.

You can rest.

You can grow slowly.

You can do hard things.

You can fail forward and still move forward.

You’ve already proven that.

Takeaway

This season will be messy, loud, fun, emotional, and unpredictable… and you don’t have to be “on” for all of it.

Choose the moments that matter.

Give yourself room to enjoy without abandoning yourself and what you want in the long term.

Use your anchors. Return to your why. Adjust when needed.

This isn’t about surviving the holidays.

It’s about staying connected to the person you’re becoming.

I hope that helps!

With love, Coach Nik

Additional Resources

If you want deeper dives on any of these, here are some of my most holiday-relevant posts…

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