We're getting very close to the pointy end of the year.
People are tired. There's a list of things that need to be finished well before Christmas, and somehow, that list doesn't seem to be getting any shorter.
And while there's often excitement around the festive season, I know that's not the whole story.
For some people, there's a quiet dread about Christmas itself. The money, the family dynamics, the expectations and, for some, the empty chair at the table.
If that's how you're feeling, I want you to hear this: what you're feeling is normal. It doesn't mean you're failing at anything.
It may simply mean you've been caring a lot, managing a lot and carrying a lot for a long time.
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Christmas Isn't Always the Happiest Time of the Year
We're often sold the idea that Christmas is all about togetherness, celebration and connection. And for many people, it genuinely is.
But that's not everyone's experience.
The holidays can bring financial pressure, complicated family relationships, grief and a heightened awareness of who's missing. When everyone else seems to be celebrating, it can be particularly difficult to admit that you're struggling.
Loneliness and isolation can also become more noticeable at this time of year.
Suicide Prevention Australia's research has highlighted loneliness and isolation as significant sources of distress for Australians. It's a reminder that we need to make space for honest conversations about how people are really doing, especially during a season when there's so much pressure to feel happy.
We don't all experience Christmas in the same way, and I think it's important to acknowledge that.
You don't have to pretend everything is wonderful just because it's December.
Give Yourself Permission to Feel What You Feel
One of the things I want people to remember is that struggling doesn't mean you're doing something wrong.
You can be grateful for what you have and still feel exhausted. You can love your family and find family gatherings difficult. You can enjoy parts of Christmas and still miss someone terribly.
These feelings can exist together.
Rather than adding pressure to yourself to feel a certain way, try acknowledging what's actually going on for you.
Ask yourself: What am I finding difficult at the moment? What is taking the most energy? What would make this time of year a little easier?
You don't need to solve everything at once. Sometimes, simply recognising what you're carrying is a useful place to begin.
Find Your Practical Tools for the Festive Season
When I think about mental fitness, I often come back to the idea of having the right tools available when we need them.
Just as you'd reach for a particular tool on a workbench to help with a task, it helps to have a few practical strategies you can turn to when life feels overwhelming.
Here are some simple things to consider.
1. Lower the Pressure Where You Can
Not everything on your Christmas to-do list needs to happen.
Take a look at what's genuinely important and what you're doing simply because you feel you should. Could you simplify a meal, scale back a celebration or let go of a few expectations?
You don't have to create a perfect Christmas. You can create one that works for you.
2. Make Space for Your Own Needs
When we're busy looking after everyone else, our own needs can quickly slip to the bottom of the list.
Think about what helps you feel a little more grounded. It might be getting outside, taking a quiet break, maintaining a familiar routine or making time for someone you feel comfortable talking to.
These don't have to be big gestures. Small, manageable actions can help you navigate a demanding period.
3. Plan for the Difficult Moments
If you know Christmas will bring up grief, family tension or loneliness, it can help to think ahead.
Is there someone you can call if things become difficult? Can you give yourself permission to leave a gathering early? Would it help to plan something meaningful to acknowledge someone you're missing?
You don't need to anticipate every possible problem. The aim is simply to give yourself a few options rather than having to work everything out in the moment.
4. Stay Connected in Ways That Work for You
Connection doesn't have to mean a large family gathering or a packed social calendar.
It might mean having a cup of coffee with a friend, checking in with a neighbour, joining a community activity or making a phone call.
If you're feeling lonely, consider one small step towards connection. And if you know someone who might be struggling, reach out to them. A simple message letting them know you're thinking of them can mean a great deal.
5. Know When to Ask for Support
Sometimes, the pressure of the season is more than a few practical adjustments can resolve.
If you're finding things particularly difficult, consider talking with someone you trust or seeking professional support. You don't have to wait until things become unbearable before asking for help.
Looking after your mental fitness includes recognising when you need support from someone else.
You Don't Have to Get Through It Perfectly
As we approach the end of the year, I'd encourage you to think less about getting everything done perfectly and more about what you need to get through this period in a way that looks after you.
You might not be able to change every circumstance. You may still have difficult conversations, financial worries or moments when you miss someone deeply.
But you can give yourself permission to simplify things, reach out for connection and use the tools that help you manage the difficult moments.
You don't need a complicated plan. Start with one or two practical things you can reach for when you need them.
And remember, if Christmas is difficult for you this year, that doesn't mean you're failing. It means you're human.
Sometimes, the most useful thing we can do is make the next step a little easier for ourselves.