It’s December, and you find yourself staring at your calendar, realizing the holidays are right around the corner. Everything is festive, yet beneath the surface, there’s a weight you can’t seem to shake. Maybe it’s the stress of upcoming family gatherings or a lingering sense of exhaustion after a long, demanding year.
You wonder—is this just end-of-year fatigue, or could it be something else?
For many, the close of the year brings with it a mix of emotions. Some of us feel joy and excitement for the holidays; others, a deep sense of reflection, even sadness. Others may feel exhausted and worried that a year-end holiday break won’t bring the rest and rejuvenation we so desperately need.
If you’ve been questioning whether therapy might be beneficial at this stage, here are some signs that it could help you enter the new year with a bit more space focused on you and your own well being.
1. You Feel Stuck in Negative Patterns
You may notice that you’re stuck in a rut of familiar thoughts, habits, or emotions—the feeling of being stuck in a loop. Maybe it’s specific to the end of one year and the beginning of another: anxiety about gatherings, or self-criticism that surfaces when setting resolutions. Or maybe it’s more pervasive – an overwhelming fear of not measuring up, a fear of ending up alone even when you’re surrounded by friends, or a vague sense of dread that something bad is coming your way. If recurring thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are holding you back, therapy can help you break the cycle.
“The end of the year is like a magnifying glass for our emotions—it makes everything feel a little bigger and harder to ignore.”
2. You’re Experiencing Increased Stress or Anxiety
The holidays, as magical as they can be, also bring a lot of stress—financial worries, family dynamics, time pressures. If you find yourself increasingly anxious or overwhelmed, it could be a sign that you need more support. Therapy provides a safe space to process those emotions, manage anxiety, and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Signs that a little extra support may be warranted include:
- Feeling keyed up and unable to get a good night’s sleep.
- Fearing attending gatherings because of expectations to eat or drink in certain ways.
- Escalating fears that you won’t be able to manage January’s financial stress.
- Noticing that you’re feeling especially irritable heading into the holiday season.
3. You’re Feeling Disconnected
Maybe you’ve been finding it harder to connect with others or even with yourself. Feeling disconnected can lead to loneliness, isolation, and even resentment. If you’ve noticed a growing distance between you and the people who matter most, or you’ve started feeling detached from activities you used to enjoy, a therapist can help you reconnect with yourself and your relationships. Signs that a little extra support may be warranted include:
- Struggling to engage in conversations that once felt natural.
- Avoiding social gatherings or feeling emotionally distant when present.
- Losing interest in hobbies or activities that used to bring joy.
- Feeling like you’re on autopilot, going through the motions without genuine connection.
4. Your Emotions Feel Harder to Manage
This time of year often stirs up a lot of emotions—nostalgia, grief, excitement, stress. It’s normal to feel a mix, but if your emotions feel overwhelming, out of control, or disproportionate to what’s happening, therapy could be a beneficial space to explore why and to make changes to shift your daily experience. A therapist can help you process these feelings and develop ways to navigate them effectively.
Consider reading How Can I Use My Mental Health Benefits for Year-End Reflection and Growth? for more ideas on how to make the most of this time.
5. You Want to Set Yourself Up for a Positive Start to the New Year
The end of the year is a natural time for reflection, and if you want to set meaningful, achievable goals for the new year therapy can help. Common areas for growth that can have wide-reaching impacts on daily life throughout the year include:
- Increasing Self-Compassion: Learning to be kinder to yourself and reducing negative self-talk can help you bring your best effort and your best self to all you do.
- Setting Boundaries: Establishing healthy limits in relationships and working to balance respect for others with an awareness of your own limits to build sustainable relationships and community.
- Developing Healthier Habits: Creating sustainable routines that support both your mental and physical health, that includes periods of rest and recovery, and that prioritizes engagement with friends and family (whether chosen or biological) can carry you into the new year with a sense of empowerment and sustainable energy.
“Therapy isn’t just for moments of crisis—it’s a way to invest in yourself, understand your needs, and prepare for the future with intention.”
If you’re interested in how therapy can help with goal-setting, consider our article Can Therapy Help Me Set Goals for the New Year?.
6. You’re Struggling to Find Joy
The end of the year is often portrayed as a happy time—filled with celebrations, gifts, and laughter. But if you’re finding it hard to feel any joy, or you’re dreading the holidays, it might be time to speak to someone. Therapy can help uncover what’s contributing to that emptiness and support you in making the changes that will help you to find moments of joy again.
Taking the Next Step
If you resonate with any of these signs, it could be worthwhile to consider therapy before the year ends. It’s about more than just “using your benefits”—it’s about investing in your well-being, allowing yourself space to reflect, and laying a strong emotional foundation for the year ahead.
For more on the importance of preventive care, check out our article Why Is Preventive Mental Health Care Just as Important as Physical Health Check-Ups?.
Ready to Prioritize Your Mental Health?
Therapy offers a chance to understand yourself more deeply, to grow, and to heal. As the year comes to a close, why not make your mental health a priority?
Reach out to us at Transforming Emotions to schedule your year-end therapy session and start the new year feeling centred and strong.
