Navigating Postpartum Emotions During the Holidays

The holidays have a way of magnifying everything we already feel. The joy feels brighter. The memories feel deeper. But the exhaustion, emotions, and overwhelm can also feel heavier, especially in postpartum.

This season has been beautiful, but it has also been tender.

Today was one of those days where I felt stretched thin. One child not feeling well. Another struggling emotionally. A baby who still needs so much of me. And a heart that just felt tired. These moments can sneak up on you in postpartum, especially when your body is still healing and your emotions are already running high.

Postpartum emotions are real. They are not weakness. They are not failure. They are a natural response to a season of immense change, responsibility, and love.

Why the Holidays Can Feel Harder Postpartum

During postpartum, your hormones are shifting, your sleep is disrupted, and your nervous system is constantly responding to the needs of others. Add in holiday expectations, family dynamics, and the pressure to make everything special, and it can feel like too much.

Some days you feel grateful and joyful. Other days you feel overwhelmed, tearful, and discouraged. And sometimes you feel all of it in the same hour.

Both are valid.

Giving Yourself Grace in This Season

Navigating postpartum during the holidays requires intentional grace. This is not the time to expect yourself to do more, be more, or hold everything together perfectly.

It is okay if your house is messy.
It is okay if plans change.
It is okay if some days feel heavy.

God does not ask us to pretend we are strong. He invites us to come to Him weary.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18 (ESV)

When the Day Feels Like Too Much

On days like today, I am learning to pause and breathe. To lower my expectations. To ask for help. To sit on the rocking chair with my baby and remind myself that this season will not last forever.

Postpartum is a season of becoming. Becoming more dependent on God. Becoming more aware of our limits. Becoming gentler with ourselves.

If you are walking through postpartum during the holidays, know this. You are doing better than you think. God sees you. He is near. And He is not asking you to carry this alone.

A Gentle Reminder

You do not have to feel joyful every moment of the season to honor Christmas.
You do not have to have it all together to be a good mom.
You do not have to hide your emotions from God.

He meets us in the heavy moments just as much as the joyful ones.

And sometimes the most faithful thing we can do is simply show up, hold our babies close, and trust Him to carry us through the day.