Nothing Is Wrong If You’re Just Getting Through

Let’s say this clearly, kindly, and without conditions:
Nothing is wrong if you’re just getting through the holidays.

Not thriving.
Not loving every moment.
Not feeling festive.
Not “making the most of it.”

Just… getting through.

That still counts.

The holidays can ask a lot of a nervous system — more noise, more people, more emotion, more memories, more expectations, more disruption. For many people, especially neurodiverse individuals (including people with FASD), that can be exhausting before the decorations even come out.

So if your goal this season is simply to make it to the other side — that’s not failure.
That’s survival.
And survival is a skill.

💛 One thing to remember

There is a lot of pressure to feel something specific during the holidays.
Joy. Gratitude. Magic. Togetherness. Cheer.

But feelings aren’t tasks you can complete.
They don’t respond well to deadlines or group expectations.

If your nervous system is busy staying regulated, there may not be extra energy left for sparkle.
That doesn’t mean you’re broken.
It means your brain is doing important work.

💛 One thing to release

Release the idea that getting through is “less than.”

You don’t owe anyone:

• enthusiasm

• productivity

• emotional availability

• a positive spin

• proof that you enjoyed yourself

You don’t have to turn this season into a growth moment or a gratitude lesson.
Sometimes it’s just a season you move through, not into.

And that’s okay.

🌱 What “getting through” can look like

Getting through might mean:

• keeping plans small

• opting out more than you opt in

• needing extra rest

• feeling neutral instead of joyful

• counting the days quietly

• choosing familiarity over novelty

None of that is giving up.
It’s listening.

😌 A gentle truth

You are not behind because this is hard.
You are not immature for finding it overwhelming.
You are not failing if your capacity is limited right now.

You’re responding to your circumstances with the tools you have — and that’s enough.

If your inner pep talk this season sounds like:

“Okay. We can do this. Slowly. With snacks.”

Congratulations — that is excellent self-management.

🌟 One last thing

You don’t have to feel better to be doing well.
You don’t have to enjoy this season for it to be valid.
You don’t have to explain why you’re tired.

If all you’re doing is showing up, breathing, resting when you can, and moving forward one day at a time — that matters.

Nothing is wrong with you.
Nothing is missing.
Nothing needs to be fixed right now.

You’re allowed to just get through.

And yes — we are here. 💚