Quitter’s Advantage: protect your peace (holiday edition)
A simple plan to free time, energy, and joy.
Hey there—
The quitter’s advantage for more peace this holiday season.
The holidays are some of my favorite times—but let’s be honest, it’s also pure insanity. It’s early November and we’re already inundated with sales, commercials, and mailers vying for our attention (and money). This year, I’m implementing a quitter’s strategy—and I’d encourage you to try it too. Strategic quitting beats seasonal crash and burnout
Every year around November (in the U.S.), we ask moms to be a logistics hub, therapist, chef, memory-maker, and CFO—while acting “fine.” No wonder January feels depleted. Quitting (for now) isn’t moral failure; it’s mental-health triage so your “yes” lands where it matters.
End-of-Year Pause Plan
Keep (must-do / true joy): bedtime rituals; one meaningful holiday thing.
Pause (revisit in Jan): extra volunteer shifts; optional gift exchanges.
Let Go (not serving you): matching-PJs photo shoot; handmade everything.
Quick scripts
Events: “We’re in a lighter season and skipping this one so we can be present at home.”
School asks: “I can’t add another commitment this month—happy to send supplies.”
Work: “I can take this after the holiday, or drop X to do it now—what’s best?”
Intern Move of the Week (2 minutes)
Run the “Quit List.”
Open Notes. Make three mini-columns: Keep / Pause / Let Go.
Draw three columns: Keep / Pause / Let Go.
Move things off your month: 2 to Pause, 3 to Let Go.
Send one script above to make it real.
A Simple Weekly Quit Plan (because moms need practical)
Mon: Say no to one optional school/club ask; offer supplies instead.
Wed: Convert one coffee/dinner to a January rain check (send text).
Fri: Buy store-bought for one thing you usually make from scratch.
Sat/Sun: Choose one holiday event and skip one (name them in Notes).
Why this works (the science-in-plain-English)
Fewer commitments = less cognitive load: Cutting optional tasks frees attention and reduces decision fatigue.
Nervous system savings: Saying no early prevents the stress spikes that come with last-minute scrambling.
Meaning > volume: Trimming lets your limited energy land on the moments you’ll actually remember.
—
See you next Sunday,
Danielle
P.S. If this lands, forward to a friend who needs permission to opt out of the holiday Olympics.