Recognizing and Recovering from Mom Burnout

How to Spot the Signs, Heal, and Stay Consistent With Blogging During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is supposed to feel magical…
but for many moms, it feels more like a marathon wrapped in glitter, school concerts, end-of-year pressure, and a never-ending list of “I’ll just do it myself.”

On a normal week, motherhood carries enough weight.
Add holidays on top — extra cooking, gifting, family visits, routines shifting, kids home more — and even the most organized mom can start sliding quietly into burnout.

If you’ve been feeling more overwhelmed than festive, this post is for you.
You’re not failing. You’re tired. And the timing makes sense.

This is Part 1 of our Self-Care for Mom Bloggers Series, because before we talk about confidence, imperfect progress, or balancing blogging… we have to talk about you.
Your energy.
Your wellbeing.
Your capacity.

Blogging can be a healing outlet — especially during the holidays — but only when you’re not running on empty.

So let’s start there.

What Mom Burnout Really Looks Like (Especially This Time of Year)

Burnout isn’t just exhaustion.
It’s emotional heaviness, mental fog, overstimulation, and feeling like you’re constantly “on,” even when sitting still.

During the holidays, burnout often looks like:

• Feeling responsible for making everything “magical”
• Taking on more than you can realistically handle
• Saying yes when you’re already maxed out
• Feeling guilty for wanting quiet or space
• Losing interest in things you normally enjoy
• Snapping easier, crying quicker, or feeling numb
• Being so drained you can’t even think about your blog, let alone write

And let’s be honest… everyone in the house still expects Christmas magic, clean clothes, meals, emotional availability — and you, holding it all together.

But you deserve to feel grounded and cared for too.

Why Burnout Spikes During the Holidays

1. The emotional load grows

Family gatherings, memories of lost loved ones, financial worry, holiday pressure… all add invisible weight.

2. Routine goes out the window

Kids home more. School breaks. Social events. Travel.
Your “normal” rhythm — including your blogging rhythm — gets disrupted.

3. Moms default into over-functioning

Planning, prepping, wrapping, cooking, organizing, remembering everything.
Burnout thrives where boundaries disappear.

4. Expectations skyrocket

Pinterest-perfect holidays. Instagram-worthy moments.
Even if you don’t care about perfection… society does.

This is why the holidays are actually the most important time to monitor your wellbeing.

How to Recover From Mom Burnout (Holiday Edition)

You don’t need a full reset.
You just need seasonal, gentle adjustments.

1. Choose a “Bare Minimum Holiday” mindset

You don’t need to do everything.
Pick 2–3 traditions or tasks that genuinely matter to YOU, and let the rest be optional.

Ease = energy.

2. Build micro-moments of rest into your day

Holiday schedules are chaotic, but 5–10 minutes can still be yours.

Try:

• A quiet cup of coffee before kids wake
• A slow walk after dinner
• A short breathing break in the bathroom
• 10 minutes journaling or writing a blog outline
• Sitting in silence in the car before going inside

Recovery doesn’t need an hour.
It needs intention.

3. Set emotional boundaries

You are not responsible for everyone’s mood, joy, or expectations.
You’re allowed to leave early, say no, or choose simple over spectacular.

4. Lower the bar for blogging this month

This is not the season for perfection.
It’s the season for consistency, simplicity, and sustainability.

Great holiday blogging rules:

• Write shorter posts
• Repurpose old content or captions
• Use templates
• Schedule posts in batches
• Focus on 1–2 platforms max
• Prioritize presence over performance

Your blog doesn’t need your best right now — it just needs you to keep showing up in small, doable ways.

5. Plan your blog around real life, not the other way around

Ask yourself:

“When is the smallest, quietest window in my day — and how can I use it well?”

It might be during naps, at night, or early morning.
It might shift week to week during the holidays — that’s okay.

Your routine can evolve without disappearing.

6. Let go of the holiday comparison trap

Other moms might be baking from scratch, decorating like influencers, posting winter photoshoots, or running holiday gift guides.

Your season doesn’t need to look like theirs.
You’re allowed to do less — and feel good about it.

Signs You’re Starting to Heal

Burnout lifts slowly, but you’ll notice:

• Your patience returning
• Your mind feeling clearer
• You laugh easier
• Blogging feels fun again
• You’re not as overstimulated
• You feel like yourself more often

These small signals matter. They mean the real you is coming back.

Blogging Through the Holiday Season Without Burning Out

Here are gentle ways to stay consistent while taking care of yourself:

• Create 3–5 “evergreen holiday posts” now

So you’re not scrambling last minute.

• Keep drafts short and messy

Perfection slows you down — progress doesn’t.

• Choose ONE weekly non-negotiable

Example:
“Every Tuesday, I upload something — even if it’s short.”

• Voice note ideas while cooking, wrapping, or driving

December is full of mental noise.
Capture ideas quickly.

• Use your emotions as content

Overwhelm, joy, exhaustion, nostalgia — these resonate with moms because they’re real.

• Set a hard ‘no work’ cutoff time

Your nervous system needs predictable rest.

Remember: this season is supposed to be meaningful, not miserable.
Blogging can be a creative escape — not another stressor.

You’re Not Meant to Carry the Holidays Alone

You deserve space to breathe.
You deserve help.
You deserve time for yourself — and for your dreams.

Motherhood already asks a lot.
The holidays ask even more.
But burnout doesn’t have to be part of your story this year.

With small shifts in rest, boundaries, and expectations, you can move through this season with more calm, more presence, and more energy — while still showing up for your blog in ways that feel good, not draining.

This is your reminder:
You’re allowed to slow down.
You’re allowed to choose ease.
And your blog?
It will grow beautifully when you honor your capacity.

Big dreams, little moments – you’ve got this Mama.

XO,

Mandy