For many people, November and December are described as “the most wonderful time of the year.” But for those of us in recovery, this season can bring a mix of emotions—some joyful, some painful, and some downright overwhelming.
The holidays disrupt routine. Meetings get missed. Sleep and eating patterns change. Suddenly, you’re spending more time around family—people who might bring up old wounds or uncomfortable memories. Add financial pressure, endless social invitations, and high expectations to “be happy,” and it’s easy to feel unsteady.
This time of year can expose our vulnerabilities. The noise, the crowds, the emotions, and even the loneliness can awaken cravings or old coping habits. It’s not weakness—it’s human. Recovery doesn’t make us immune to stress; it gives us tools to respond differently when stress hits.
Here are a few ways to stay grounded during the holidays:
- Protect your routine. Keep as many recovery practices in place as you can—meetings, prayer, journaling, sleep, or exercise. A consistent rhythm anchors you when everything else feels unpredictable.
- Have an escape plan. Give yourself permission to step away from triggering situations—take a walk, call a recovery friend, or go to a meeting.
- Lower expectations. The holidays don’t have to be perfect. Give yourself grace to experience them as they are, not as you wish they were.
- Be honest. If you’re struggling, say so. Connection is one of the strongest antidotes to relapse.
- Focus on gratitude. Not as a cliché, but as a practice that helps you see what’s real and good right now, even if life is messy.
The truth is, recovery during the holidays takes intention. You may not control the chaos around you, but you cancontrol your choices, your boundaries, and your self-care.
You’ve come too far to let one difficult season derail your progress. Stay connected, stay grounded, and remember—you’re not alone in this.
Because of the disruptions to our routine, the financial stress, and the anxiety, many of us step away from meetings during this time. We might take a break from meeting with our coach or therapist, telling ourselves we’ll “get back to it after the holidays.” But maybe this is the time we most need to stay connected.
If finances are tight, maybe shift from weekly to every other week. Or maybe this is the perfect season to gift yourself your first coaching session—to strengthen your plan instead of pulling away from your support system.
What are your thoughts on the holiday season?
Visit my website at RW-Coaching.com or send me an email at RWCoaching2@gmail.com—I’d love to hear from you.