The End-of-Year Blur: Finding Your Energy When Everything Feels Foggy
These last weeks of December have a peculiar quality about them. We're caught in a strange liminal space—that in-between time where one year is winding down and another hasn't quite begun. Our phones buzz with "special offers" for gym memberships, our social media feeds overflow with "new year, new you" promises, and every app seems convinced we're desperately seeking transformation through their curated selection of life-changing habits.
Meanwhile, some of us are simply trying to remember what day it is while we're on holiday, or navigating the delicate balance of family gatherings and quiet moments of rest. Others are weathering the storm of well-meaning relatives asking about our plans for the new year, as if the stroke of midnight on December 31st will magically clarify everything.
It's this curious time when days blur together, when "Wednesday" could just as easily be "Saturday," and when the pressure to plan, resolve, and transform crashes up against our body's natural desire to simply be.
Understanding the Blur
This end-of-year blur isn't just about holiday fatigue or too many festive meals. It's a complex amalgamation of societal expectations, personal reflection, and our body's natural rhythm seeking rest—all while being bombarded with messages about how we should be planning, changing, and optimising our lives for the year ahead.
The Energy Paradox
Here's what's fascinating about our energy levels during this blur period: we often have more resources available than we realise, but they're hidden beneath layers of mental fog and physical fatigue. The key isn't about finding more energy—it's about redistributing and reconnecting with the energy we already have.
Practical Ways to Navigate the Blur
Rather than fighting against this natural end-of-year state, we can work with it. Here are some practical approaches I've found helpful:
Micro-Moments of Clarity
Instead of trying to maintain crystal-clear focus all day, aim for short bursts of clarity. Set a timer for 20 minutes of focused work, followed by a genuine break. These pockets of attention often yield better results than hours of foggy productivity.
Energy Mapping
Take note of when your energy naturally peaks during the day (even in this blur state). Schedule your most important tasks during these windows, leaving routine or automatic tasks for your lower-energy periods.
Permission to Process
The blur isn't just exhaustion—it's often our mind's way of processing the year's experiences. Allow yourself time to reflect without immediately jumping to action or resolution.
Coach Yourself
Take a moment to explore these questions:
- What specific signs tell you you're entering the end-of-year blur?
- Which activities or moments still energise you, even when you're feeling foggy?
- How might you redistribute your energy rather than trying to create more?
- What would it look like to work with your current energy levels rather than against them?
- What's one small adjustment you could make today to better honour your natural energy patterns?
Three Ways to Stay Grounded While Everyone Else is "New Year, New You-ing"
1. The "Right Now" Ritual
Instead of getting caught up in future-focused planning, create a small daily ritual that anchors you in the present moment. Find a quiet spot (yes, even if that's hiding in the bathroom from holiday houseguests), and take three deep breaths while noticing:
- One thing that feels good in your body right now
- One thing you're letting go of without guilt
- One thing you appreciate about exactly where you are
This isn't about setting goals or making changes—it's about acknowledging where you are and what you need in this moment.
2. The Gentle Review
Rather than crafting ambitious resolutions, try this more nurturing approach to reflection. Grab your favourite drink and a notebook, find a cosy spot, and explore these prompts:
- What supported my wellbeing this year? (Think small: maybe it was that morning cup of tea in silence, or your Sunday evening walk)
- What depleted my energy? (Be specific: which activities, relationships, or habits left you feeling drained?)
- What would feel genuinely nourishing right now? (Not what you think you should do, but what your body and mind are asking for)
Write without judgment. There's no need to make plans or take action—this is simply about listening to yourself.
3. The Permission Slip Practice
Create your own permission slips for this transition time. Write them down, pop them in your phone, or stick them on your mirror. Some examples:
- "I give myself permission to not have it all figured out by January 1st"
- "I give myself permission to rest even when others are going full speed ahead"
- "I give myself permission to say no to new commitments until I feel truly ready"
Add your own permissions based on what you most need to hear right now.
A Different Kind of Planning
Notice that none of these activities involve setting goals or making dramatic changes. Instead, they create space for you to tune into what you truly need during this transition time. They acknowledge that rest isn't just nice—it's necessary. And they remind us that while the world might be rushing toward the next big thing, there's wisdom in moving at your own pace.
Remember, the greatest gift you can give yourself during this blur of a season is permission to be exactly where you are, feeling exactly what you're feeling.