Making the Escape Hatch Plan.

Picture this: It's mid-December, and the word "rest" has become a mythical concept, kinda like Elves (amazing concept, but not a real thing). The holidays promise peace and joy, but the reality feels closer to a high-stakes juggling act of work deadlines, family obligations, while also trying to produce cheerful celebrations.

I first crafted my "Escape Hatch Plan" during a particularly chaotic season.
Picture me: navigating a high-pressure job that went into overdrive in December, traveling cross-country to family in packed airports and traffic jammed highways, all while wrangling two small children. From November to January, I wasn't really feeling that Joy to the World bit—I was just surviving on caffeine and pure willpower.

The Holiday Illusion

We're sold this beautiful narrative of peaceful holidays—Silent Night, Peace on Earth, Quiet Solstice, Sugar Plum Fairies dancing.
The reality is more like:

• Back-to-back holiday school performances, gift exchanges, Secret Santas
• Last-minute client deadlines screaming for attention
• Family gatherings that feel more like strategic negotiations
• Shopping. Oh, the shopping
• Trying to tie up every loose end at work before the year closes
• And, that damn Elf on a Shelf

Sound familiar?
This is why we need an Escape Hatch Plan.

Designing Your Personal Rest Strategy

The key is understanding that rest looks different for everyone. What recharges one person might drain another. Rest isn't a one-size-fits-all package—it's a personalized rescue mission. So let’s design yours.

1. What do you actually need?
Here's the tough part: Do you even know? We're so conditioned to meeting everyone else's demands that we've lost touch with our own needs. We all have unique ways of feeling cared for.
For me, it was simple yet crucial: I needed at least one hour daily where absolutely no one made any demands on me. Pure, unadulterated peace.

What helps you unwind?

• Do you need a slow, quiet morning with zero interruptions?
• Would renting a separate AirBnB provide a sanity buffer from family?
• Could meal delivery services be your secret weapon against holiday cooking exhaustion?
• Is it time to boot Elf on a Shelf to the curb?

2. Determining boundaries: Your holiday superpower
Boundaries aren't about being difficult—they're about self-preservation. This might look like:

• Attending a holiday party for 90 minutes instead of the entire evening
• Simplifying gift-giving to reduce stress
• Setting clear limits on family time
• Planning moments of intensity followed by deliberate recovery time

3. Finding your support system
An Escape Hatch Plan isn't a solo mission. You need a co-pilot—someone who understands your goals and can help support you to stick to your plan — or at least can be on the receiving end as you live tweet Christmas Eve with The Whole Fam.

Real-World Escape Hatch Examples

These aren't just theoretical. These are battle-tested strategies:

• Taking a morning walk and grabbing coffee before diving into family time
• Dedicating January 1-3 to pure, uninterrupted couch time. All devices set to Do Not Disturb, all Out of Office messages set up.
• Replacing stressful traditions with low-key, enjoyable alternatives. Skip the formal holiday dinner, go for casual brunch, bagels and champagne.
• Trading personal downtime with your partner
• Having an "emergency contact" friend for when family dynamics get intense
• Committing to the parts of your routine that you love no matter where you are.

The Bigger Picture

As life evolves, so should your approach to rest. What worked last year might not work this year. The goal isn't perfection—it's creating breathing room in a season that often feels suffocating.
Your Escape Hatch Plan is a living document. It's permission to prioritize yourself, to breathe, to acknowledge that "holiday magic" doesn't mean sacrificing your mental health.

Rest isn't a luxury. It's a necessity. And sometimes, it takes a strategic plan to make it happen.

‍