The holidays can be a lot. Between the shopping, planning, and family dynamics, stress can easily overshadow joy. But what if the natural world had some wisdom to offer? Permacultureโa design system inspired by natureโmight seem like it’s all about gardens and growing food. Yet, its principles are surprisingly useful for navigating holiday chaos. Letโs explore how 12 permaculture principles (shown in parentheses) can help you reduce holiday stress and create a season that feels more nourishing and less overwhelming.
For a deeper dive into how permaculture principles can transform not just your holiday season but your everyday life, check out my post, Permaculture in Everyday Life: Applying Principles in the Garden and Beyond.
Here are some ways permaculture can teach us to reduce holiday stress. Take the ideas that serve you, and let go of the rest.
1. Slow Down and Notice (Observe and Interact)
The holidays often feel like a blur. We rush through our to-do lists and traditions, sometimes missing whatโs happening right in front of us. Permaculture starts with observingโpausing to notice the patterns and details in nature. During the holidays, that means taking a moment to really see whatโs going on around you and within you.
Tips for less stress:
- Pay attention to joyful moments, like laughing with family.
- Actively listen to othersโit can shift stressful interactions.
- Check in with yourself: Do you need rest, connection, or quiet?
2. Manage Holiday Energy (Catch and Store Energy)
The holidays can feel overwhelming, and itโs easy to grab a moment of โrestโ that leaves you feeling more drainedโlike scrolling through your phone. Permaculture teaches us to catch and store energy in ways that actually rejuvenate us, so we have the ability to experience and enjoy the season.
Tips for less stress:
- Try deep breathing, a walk, or a cup of tea.
- Avoid downtime activities that actually drain you more.
- Build a toolkit of quick rituals to reset and restore.
3. Focus on Meaningful Rewards (Obtain a Yield)
The holidays often involve a lot of effort. Permacultureโs โobtain a yieldโ principle reminds us that every action should produce a meaningful returnโwhether itโs a nourishing meal, or simply a feeling, like joy, connection, or peace. By focusing on the meaningful rewards of the season, you can begin to shift your mindset from stress and overwhelm to appreciation and joy.
Tips for less stress:
- Choose activities with purpose: Ask yourself, โWhat do I hope to gain from this?โ
- Find fulfillment in everyday tasks like cooking, decorating, or cleaning.
- Appreciate small wins, like completing tasks or having a meaningful conversation.
4. Reflect on and Refine Traditions (Apply Self-Regulation and Accept Feedback)
Holiday traditions can be wonderful, but not all traditions remain a good fit as life changes. Permaculture reminds us to pause, assess, and adapt, letting go of what no longer serves us and refining the systems we have. By reflecting on past holidays, you can identify which rituals uplift you and which feel more like obligations. This process allows you to create a holiday experience that aligns with your current values and energy.
Tips for less stress:
- Take time to reflect on which traditions bring joy and which cause stress.
- Modify, simplify, or skip traditions that feel overwhelming or that you have outgrown.
- Invite input from family to reshape traditions together.
5. Use What You Already Have (Use and Value Renewable Resources)
The holidays often come with a push to buy, plan, and achieve more, but permaculture reminds us that true abundance often comes from valuing whatโs already at hand. Instead of chasing perfection or excess, focus on the renewable resourcesโtime, energy, and simple joysโyou already have.
Tips for less stress:
- Prioritize activities with the biggest impact or joy.
- Find beauty in simplicity: a cozy dinner or neighborhood lights.
- Get creative: reuse fabric for gift wrap or decorate with natural items like pine cones, dried flower stalks, or a hawthorn twig laden with bright red berries.
6. Rethink Waste (Produce No Waste)
The holidays frequently come with waste of many varieties, whether itโs material, time, or energy wasted. Permaculture encourages us to see waste as something we can transform into value. We can improve our holiday by recognizing sources of waste, minimizing it, and turning what we can into value.
Tips for less stress:
- Turn material waste into resources: for example, compost wrapping paper or use leftover bones to make soup.
- Reduce unnecessary worry by letting go of what you canโt control.
- Reframe frustrations as a chance to practice patience or problem-solving.
7. Plan with the Big Picture in Mind (Design from Patterns to Details)
The holidays can feel chaotic if you get caught up in all the small details. Permaculture teaches us to start with the broader patternsโlike what you value most about the seasonโbefore narrowing in on specifics. Keeping the big picture in mind helps you stay grounded, focusing on the details that truly shape the holiday experience you want.
Tips for less stress:
- Identify recurring stress points, like overcommitting or last-minute shopping.
- Let big-picture priorities guide your choices, then add details to support them.
8. Focus on Relationships (Integrate Rather than Segregate)
Permaculture thrives on connection, and the same holds true for the holidays. When you lean into relationships and bring people together, the season becomes more supportive and less stressful. Building a resilient season means prioritizing connection over perfection.
Tips for less stress:
- Share responsibilities to lighten your load.
- Prioritize quality time with loved ones.
- Reach out to others who could use a friend
- Greet or smile at people you pass to create a moment of connectionย
9. Take Small and Steady Steps (Use Small and Slow Solutions)
The holidays can feel overwhelming when everything seems urgent, or too much. But small, steady steps can be more effectiveโand less stressfulโthan trying to tackle everything at once. Taking small steps helps you manage the season without burning out.
Tips for less stress:
- Focus on one task at a time.
- Start small: simple efforts often bring the most joy.
- Acknowledge progress and small wins
10. Celebrate Differences (Use and Value Diversity)
The holidays bring together different people, traditions, and experiences. Permaculture reminds us to embrace this variety, finding strength in what makes each part unique. By valuing diversity, the holidays become richer and more meaningful.
Tips for less stress:
- Appreciate each personโs unique contributions.
- Focus on what each person adds rather than whatโs missing
- Trying something newโor blending old and newโcan bring unexpected joy
11. See the Beauty in the Margins (Use Edges and Value the Marginal)
In permaculture, the edgesโwhere different environments meetโare often where the most growth happens. Similarly, the most meaningful parts of the holidays are often found in the quieter spaces and moments. Not everything needs to be big or plannedโsome of the best parts of the holidays happen in the margins.
Tips for less stress:
- Take time for stillness: a solo walk or moment of reflection.
- Look for the quiet moments, between activities
- Reach beyond your immediate family and friends to connect with others.
- Reach out to someone who may feel isolated or left out.
12. Go with the Flow and Adapt (Creatively Use and Respond to Change)
The holidays are full of surprises, both good and bad. Permaculture encourages us to stay flexible and adapt to changes as they come. Embracing the unexpected can turn stressful situations into memorable moments. By staying open and adaptable, you create space for new experiences and reduce the pressure of perfection.
Tips for less stress:
- Embrace spontaneityโunexpected moments can be the most meaningful.
- Take a step back and shift your focus when things donโt go as planned.
- Accept that not everything has to be perfect to be enjoyable.
- Stay open to new traditions or changes to old ones.
Conclusion
Permacultureโs principles offer a fresh way to think about the holidays. By slowing down, embracing whatโs available, and finding joy in the unexpected, you can reduce holiday stress and create a season that feels more nourishing and meaningful.
In these winter months, we might not be growing much outside in our gardens, but we can still grow in other, even more valuable, ways.ย
Happy holidays, and happy growing!
Leave a Reply