Holiday Hustle Got You Tired? Real-World Tips to Survive December’s Grind

Working through the holidays? Get real tips, relatable humor, and survival advice for December’s grind and burnout.

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(Emotion Lens: Frustration with a side of humor)

When December Starts Swingin’…

Let me tell you, man — the second that calendar flips to December, life hits a whole different gear. I’m out here in my little corner of West Philly, watching folks act like the holidays come with bonus checks attached to the air. Meanwhile I’m counting receipts like they might start multiplying if I look at ’em long enough. Real talk, the hustle do NOT take a holiday. If anything, it gets louder — like the 34 bus grinding up Baltimore Ave after the first snowfall.

And I swear, living here during this time? You walk outside and the wind got hands. Cold smacks you in the face like, “Where your scarf at, fam?” The grind don’t care how tight that breeze is. We still clocking in, still picking up shifts, still making sure that last bill don’t slide into January like it’s invited.

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Holiday Cheer… But Make It Affordable

See, the tricky part is everybody got expectations this time of year. Family wanna see you, friends wanna link up, your auntie wanna know why you ain’t brought nobody home yet — all while your wallet lookin’ like it’s singing low notes from the choir loft. Don’t get me wrong, I love giving. I love seeing my little cousins tear open gifts like they winning awards. That’s joy right there.

But whew. The way my job got me working double shifts like they think I’m training for a marathon? That part ain’t festive. Last weekend, I hit the Market-Frankford Line after work and I swear I almost fell asleep standing up. You ever try to nap while swaying between strangers and subway squeaks? It builds character, but it also makes you question your entire lifestyle.

Still, there’s something kinda poetic about being tired for the people you love. Like, yeah, I’m dragging, but I’m dragging with purpose. Even if that purpose is just making sure grandma gets her peppermint tea and fuzzy socks like she expects every year.

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The Quiet Part We Don’t Always Say Out Loud

What I been thinking about lately is how we don’t really talk about the pressure of it all. Everybody smiling in the photos, posting those cute lil’ cocoa pics from Dilworth Park, acting like their bank account ain’t out here screaming.

Me? I’mma say it: it’s okay to be tired. It’s okay to be stretched thin. It’s okay to be doing your best with what you got. Hustle culture loves selling us this dream like if you work hard enough, every problem melts like snow on a warm day. But sometimes the gift you give yourself is just making it to January without losing your mind.

So I’m leaning into small wins this year. A warm meal. A quiet night. My favorite hoodie fresh out the dryer. A playlist full of soul classics that remind me who raised me. That’s real holiday magic too — the kind you don’t gotta finance.

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Closing Vibe

Anyway, if you’re grinding hard right now, just know I see you. We out here doing the most with the least, trying to keep the light glowing even when energy low. Just breathe, pace yourself, and don’t let the season hustle you harder than your job does.

That’s just December in Philly for you.