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ADHD Holiday Stress: How to Make This Season Feel Lighter

If you have ADHD and the holiday stress has been creeping in, you're not alone. The mix of expectations, packed calendars, and school events can make this time of year feel anything but joyful. But with a few intentional shifts, you can create a season that feels lighter and more manageable.



In this episode of The Gentle Reset, I’m sharing why the holidays can feel especially loud for ADHD brains and what you can do to make things feel simpler. I’ll walk you through four practical home tips and a mindset shift that helped me reset one chaotic corner of my home and breathe again.


Why the Holidays Feel So Overwhelming

After a full Thanksgiving week at the beach with both sets of grandparents, we jumped straight into decorating, lights, and holiday prep. And like every year, it was hard to get back into a rhythm.


If you're also easing back into real life and feeling behind before the day even starts...


you're NOT alone.


For ADHD brains, the holidays often feel loud. That doesn’t just mean noise. It’s the mental tabs: gifts, events, expectations, family plans. The pressure piles up, and suddenly, the smallest tasks feel heavy.


Did you know...?

Just because something is on the calendar every year…


doesn’t mean it has to be on your calendar this year.


If you notice yourself:

  • Snapping at your kids

  • Struggling with simple decisions

  • Wanting to cancel everything on your schedule


That’s your cue to pause and ask yourself:

“Do I actually want this… or am I doing it because I feel like I should?”


That little bit of awareness can help you choose what supports you and let go of what drains you.


Four Ways to Make the Holidays Feel Lighter at Home

Between wrapping supplies, decorations, and kid chaos, your home can start to feel like another source of pressure.


Here are four ways I’ve learned to make things feel easier:


1. Keep Things Simple on Purpose

Ask yourself: What actually matters for our home this year? 


Let go of:

  • Elaborate décor

  • Perfectly wrapped gifts

  • Traditions that feel like pressure (even the Elf)

  • Guest room staging


Choosing simple protects your energy so you can actually enjoy the moments that matter.


2. Pick 1-3 Tasks That Matter Today

You don’t have to tackle everything.


Focus on:

  • Resetting the kitchen

  • Washing towels or linens

  • Clearing the entryway

  • Tidying one toy zone


Small wins add up.


3. Use Short Time Blocks

ADHD brains do better in quick bursts of effort.


Try:

  • 5–10 minutes to shop online

  • A 5-minute bathroom tidy

  • Wrapping gifts until the timer goes off


A timer helps you get started and that’s often the hardest part.


4. Reset Your High-Traffic Zones

Focus on the spaces your family and guests actually use:

  • The kitchen

  • Living room

  • Drop zone or entryway

  • Guest bathroom


A quick reset in these spots creates calm without needing to overhaul your whole house.


If you're looking for support to actually follow through on one of these tips... whether it's prepping your home, managing gifts, or resetting your space... Holiday Pocket Coaching Day gives you 24 hours of private voice and text support with me. It's simple, flexible, and designed to help you make progress without the pressure.


A Small Reset That Changed Everything

In our home, the drop zone is always the first to fall apart. Backpacks, winter gear, mail, holiday cards... it all lands in one spot.


I used to tell myself, “I’ll keep up with it this year.”


But it never lasts.


A couple of years ago, I tried something different: instead of cleaning the whole downstairs, I took 5 minutes to reset just that space.


I added:

  • A basket for gloves and hats

  • A couple extra hooks

  • A wall display for holiday cards


Those changes completely shifted the energy. I could breathe again.


If your drop zone is overflowing too, that’s exactly why I reopened the Drop Zone Reset (Holiday Edition). It’s 24 hours of private support to reset the most chaotic spot in your home before the holidays peak.


And if you're reading this later when doors have closed, I offer seasonal experiences that open up throughout the year. You can jump on the waitlist and be the first to grab your spot for the next experience.


Key Takeaways

  • A calmer holiday starts with choosing what actually matters... not what you "should" do.

  • Simple home resets help more than you think.

  • One small tweak (like resetting your drop zone) can make your whole home feel lighter.


Let's Stay Connected

Want daily encouragement and ADHD-friendly tips for your home? Follow me on Instagram where I share helpful strategies and small wins you can build on.

Join 200+ ADHD women creating homes with more flow and function. Get simple, doable tips straight to your inbox and first access to exclusive offers by joining my email list.


Choose what matters, simplify where you can, and create a season that actually supports you.




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