The Calm Before the Christmas Chaos
As November rolls in, Q Radio presenter Jordan Arnold reminds us to take a breath before the festive whirlwind begins, sharing advice on saying no, rewearing the outfit and finding peace in the pause before December’s glitter storm.
November is basically the deep breath before the storm. It’s the calm before we’re bombarded with Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé on repeat, the time the WhatsApp group chats start pinging with “when are we all free!” messages, and before you suddenly realise you’ve agreed to eight nights out.
Santas and a casual dinner with people you haven’t seen all year that somehow costs £100 a head. So before the glitter and the guilt-tripping really get going, here are a few little reminders for the run-up to December, from me (and also to myself).
You Do Not Need a New Outfit for Every Outing
When you add in social pressure at this time of year to deliver full glitzy glam every time you leave the house and also pretend you aren’t as terrified of wearing the same thing twice. Which is mad, because when Kardashians hit the world’s eyes on us. Nobody, not-one is keeping score.
If you’ve got one that makes you feel great, wear it ten times. Mix and match using your staples; you just then know what works. The real confidence comes from rewearing something you love without apology.
You Do Not Have to Say Yes to Everything
November has a funny way of filling up fast. One minute your diary is clear, the next you’ve got five “quick catchups” and a team night out that feels like an endurance test. It’s completely fine to politely decline and spend the evening in your pyjamas.
FOMO fades but burnout lasts months. Prioritising rest and setting boundaries with who you give your energy to is a simple act of protecting your peace.
Your Old Baubles Are Just Fine
We’ve had beige Christmas all-gold Christmas and now TikTok says we should aim for a Ralph Lauren aesthetic. In case you need to hear it: you do not need to reinvent your Christmas tree every year.
Nobody is judging your tinsel or fairy lights or expecting décor worthy of a department store window. A mix of golds, reds, yellow ornaments and a paper angel your niece made in nursery is perfect. Perfection is overrated; embrace your beautifully mismatched decorations.
Gift Buying Isn’t a Competitive Sport
Between the “boy did good” posts and parents showing off mountains of toys, it’s easy to feel like giving has become a performance. The best gifts are thoughtful, not expensive.
In a world obsessed with consumerism, try not to spend beyond your means. Make a list, set a budget and stick to it. Prioritising to keep up with everyone else isn’t festive; it’s exhausting.
Cosy Nights In Are a Form of Self-Care
November is peak blanket season, dark cold and probably raining. Lighting the fire, greeting into your favourite jammies and watching a Christmas film with a cuppa or a glass of wine is being antisocial, it’s sacred.
Those quiet, cosy nights are essential for charging your social battery. Sometimes staying in really is the sheer best thing.
So before December arrives with all its sparkle, breathe and embrace the calm. The world will soon be twinkling and loud. Like The Christmas Market on every corner, so right now, there’s beauty in the pause.
Walk the dog around the takeaway, wear the same three days in a row, and light the behind your laptop to yourself for the marathon that is the festive season.
