456: Your Brain Isn’t Broken. It’s Busy! ADHD Strategies for the Holidays // Amy Marie Hann

November 17, 2025

Managing ADHD during the holidays can feel so daunting!

Every December, I swear this will be the year I stay on top of things. I’ll make a gift list early, order everything with time to spare, and enjoy slow, cozy nights by the tree. But somehow, I always end up overcommitted, under-rested, and wondering how I once again thought I could fit 30 hours of to-dos into a 24-hour day.

It turns out that’s not just poor planning—it’s ADHD planning. My brain has a habit of believing I have far more time and energy than I actually do. And during the holidays, when expectations and logistics pile up faster than the snow outside my Idaho window, it’s easy to slip into overwhelm.

This year, though, I’m working on managing my ADHD during the holidays in a kinder, more realistic way—thanks to a framework I learned from my friend and podcast guest, Amy Marie Hann, author of Master the Mundane. She taught me how to understand my energy zones and plan within my actual capacity instead of trying to keep up with everyone else’s.

Here are three takeaways that are helping me build a calmer, more intentional holiday season:

3 Tips for Managing ADHD during the Holidays:

1. Clarify your priorities.

Before the holiday chaos begins, take a breath and decide what really matters to you this year. Amy introduced me to the idea of a “Mom Admin List”—a short list of 12–15 tasks that will actually get your energy and attention. Seeing everything on paper helps you realize just how much you’ve been carrying, and narrowing it down to your essentials keeps you from drowning in good intentions. For me, this means skipping the elaborate teacher gifts and saying yes to simple family traditions we all enjoy.

2. Limit the extras.

Just because something fits on the calendar doesn’t mean it fits your brain’s bandwidth. I’m learning that it’s okay to skip the neighborhood party or the extra outing if it pushes my family (or my nervous system) into overload. Amy recommends one “extra” a day or even one a weekend—because while ADHD brains love novelty, they also burn out quickly. Choosing less doesn’t mean we’re missing out; it means we’re protecting our peace.

3. Make time for rest and creativity.

Rest isn’t optional—it’s medicine. For ADHD moms especially, we need both calm and stimulation that feeds our curiosity. That might look like reading a cozy novel, working on a puzzle, or even doodling while the kids watch a Christmas movie. These are the moments that help our brains reset so we can show up with energy instead of running on fumes. This December, I’m making space for creativity without guilt, because joy counts as productivity too.

I’m still learning how to manage my ADHD during the holidays, but this much I know: my brain isn’t broken—it’s just busy. When I plan for my real capacity instead of the ideal version of myself, I create more room for laughter, connection, and presence. And isn’t that what we all want most this season? 💜

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What did you think of Amy’s takeaways about managing ADHD during the holidays? Comment below!

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Announcements:

✨ Our annual Slow-vember Sale is happening now! Get $5 off all Flecks of Gold Journals—including the new camel leather edition (it’s absolutely gorgeous!)—through December 15. Slow down, savor the season, and notice the good in your motherhood.

Related Episodes like this one on Partnership in Parenting:

About our Guest:

Amy is the author of the book Master the Mundane, how to manage your life, home and family as a mom with ADHD. ADHD has touched every area of her life. She herself was diagnosed at the age of 5 and her three kids, husband, dad, and sister are also ADHD. She’s also fostered, adopted and homeschooled kids with ADHD and brings a wealth of personal experience, authenticity and relatability to everything she creates. She believes that the ADHD brain is uniquely created to bring good to the world and the best thing we can do as moms of ADHD kids is to model what it looks like to thrive with ADHD. She’s a loud laugher, avid reader, and workout enthusiast with a mild obsession with HGTV.

Get in Touch with Our Guest:

Website: www.amymariehann.com
Instagram: @amymariehann
Book: Master the Mundane, How to Manage Your Life, Home and Family as a Mom with ADHD

Sponsors:

BetterHelp: 3 in 30 Takeaways for Moms is sponsored by BetterHelp. Go to betterhelp.com/3in30 to get 10% off your first month of online therapy.
Cure Hydration: For 3 in 30 listeners, you can get 20% off your first order at curehydration.com/3in30 with code 3in30.

Posted in Bolster Your Boundaries, Celebrate Your Strengths, Honor Your Needs, Know Your Self, Managing the Home, Mental Health, Rock Your Routines

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