December is full of treats, drinks, social events, late nights and “oh go on then” moments. A bit of indulgence is normal – expected, even. It’s part of the season.
But for many people, the snacking, drinking, scrolling, spending or saying “yes” to everything isn’t about celebrating. It’s about coping. Because when life feels heavy, December gives you the perfect disguise: everyone is indulging, so no one looks too closely at why you are.
And underneath the festive sparkle, a lot of people quietly struggle – far more than anyone realises. This is where festive indulgence often blends with emotional overload, and it can be hard to tell the difference.
Why December Pushes Us Toward Excess
December disrupts your emotional foundations in three key ways:
- Routines Fall Apart
Sleep changes, meals shift, and structure disappears. Your nervous system loses its anchor points.
- Temptation Is Everywhere
Every office and social event is basically one long buffet. Indulgence feels normal.
- Emotions Intensify
Pressure, comparison, loneliness, exhaustion, financial stress, family dynamics – everything peaks at once. This is prime time for stress, overwhelm and nervous system fatigue. It’s no wonder so many of us reach for “more”:
More sugar.
More alcohol.
More distraction.
More noise.
Indulgence is normal. But sometimes it’s something else.
Celebration vs Coping: How to Tell the Difference
Most people judge the behaviour. But the real truth is in the motivation behind it. Here’s the difference:
Healthy Festive Indulgence (Normal, Harmless, Fun)
Looks like:
- enjoying food/drink socially
- choosing treats because you want them
- feeling tired but still connected
- behaviour that resets naturally
- genuine pleasure and connection
This is normal.
Quiet Struggle Disguised as Festive Fun
Looks like:
- snacking or drinking automatically, without pleasure
- using alcohol or food to soften difficult feelings
- scrolling to avoid your thoughts
- withdrawing from events
- guilt → repeat → guilt → repeat
- a loop that doesn’t reset
- numbness or irritability
- exhaustion that doesn’t lift
This isn’t celebration. This is emotional overload trying to manage itself. And you’re not alone – far more people feel this way than talk about it.
A Personal Note
I understand how easily these patterns hide, because years ago, I was someone who blended in. I loved Christmas – not because I felt joyful, but because my year-round coping behaviours suddenly looked normal. Eating, drinking, saying yes to everything… it all helped me hide how overwhelmed I felt on the inside.
And no one ever noticed. Not because they didn’t care, but because December makes coping look like celebration. This is why recognising the difference matters.
Why Your Brain Reaches for ‘More’ in December
Overindulgence is never about lack of willpower. It’s about relief. When your nervous system feels overwhelmed by:
- stress
- fatigue
- comparison
- loneliness
- uncertainty about the new year
- emotional exhaustion
…it will grab whatever feels easiest in the moment:
✔ sugar
✔ carbs
✔ alcohol
✔ scrolling
✔ noise
✔ “busyness”
Not because it’s the best strategy, but because it’s the fastest. Your brain is trying to protect you using the tools it already has.
How to Know If You’re Celebrating… or Struggling
Here are gentle, honest check-ins:
⭐ Do I feel nourished – or numbed? Joy fuels you. Numbing drains you.
⭐ Am I choosing this – or doing it automatically? Intentional vs reactive behaviour is the key clue.
⭐ Am I indulging socially – or secretly? Coping often hides.
⭐ What am I avoiding? A feeling? A truth? A decision?
⭐ Does this feel like pleasure – or escape? Your body knows the difference.
Your answers aren’t judgement – they’re information.
What Your Body Actually Wants This Month
Despite what you reach for, your nervous system is rarely craving:
✖ more alcohol
✖ more sugar
✖ more scrolling
✖ more noise
✖ more avoidance
It’s craving:
💚 safety
💚 rest
💚 consistency
💚 honesty
💚 boundaries
💚 stillness
💚 grounding
💚 emotional regulation
These are the needs underneath the overindulgence.
So What Helps? (Without the Pressure)
You don’t need a full life overhaul – just tiny shifts:
- five minutes of quiet instead of five minutes of scrolling
- a short walk to clear emotional static
- one honest conversation
- one boundary this week
- drinking a glass of water before the next drink
- choosing something that truly soothes, rather than numbs
Small steps. Small openings. That’s how the cycle breaks.
The Confidence Connection
Confidence doesn’t come from ignoring emotion. It comes from understanding it. Your habits make sense once you understand the emotional need behind them.
That’s why the tools I’ve created – the book, the cards, the online programme – help people recognise patterns they’ve been stuck in for years. They don’t tell you what to think. They help you notice what you’ve never noticed.
And once you understand why you numb… why you overindulge… why December feels ‘a bit much’…
…something shifts. Not instantly. But meaningfully.
Final Thought
If December feels fun – enjoy it.
If it feels heavy – you’re not alone.
Overindulgence is communication. A quiet signal that something in your system needs care, not criticism. And when you learn to listen to that signal, your whole relationship with yourself changes.
If you want to explore the deeper emotional patterns behind numbing, indulgence and avoidance, I share the full story honestly in Blokes, Beers & Burritos.
If you want daily tools to help you feel calmer, clearer and more confident, The Confidence Breakthrough book and cards are the best place to start. And when you’re ready to go deeper, The Confidence Breakthrough online programme is there when you need it.