A Christmas (or any time) Survival Guide For You, The Woman Working in Pharma

Let's be honest, this is a really challenging time of year for many of us. December can feel like a performance review crossed with an extreme endurance sport. You're juggling spreadsheets, end-of-year targets, team reviews, Christmas parties, the school nativity or end of term production and the silent prayer that your energy doesn't completely disappear before the big day. Sound familiar? Grab a cuppa, and let's navigate this tinsel-covered minefield together. 

The Working Woman's Christmas Breakdown:

Please know that you're not alone 

First things first: breathe. That panicky intake of air that doesn't get much further into your lungs than your bra that says, "I'm managing... barely.'' Familiar? Take a breath in for a count of 4 and let it out slowly for a count of 8........ and repeat

Almost every woman you know at work is feeling exactly the same right now. The pressure to be perfect is huge, at work, at home is huge and is enough to make anyone want to pour themselves a bucket of Bailey's and hide until it's all over !

What You Can Absolutely, Categorically DROP 

1. Pinterest or Instagram Perfect Decorations Your home doesn't need to look like it's a set for Kirstie's Home Made Christmas, much as I love Kirstie Allsopp! A few fairy lights, a decent wreath, and you're winning. Let your inner perfectionist take the day off and ask the children to decorate the tree. Yes it will be a mess to your eyes, but it will be their mess, just imagine the gorgeous memories they'll be making. Those intricate paper snowflakes, everything coordinated in this season's colour palette. I don't think so 

2. Homemade EVERYTHING Those Instagram videos of women casually whipping up a perfect gingerbread houses while looking immaculate? Total fiction. Shop bought is not just acceptable it's a form of self-care and a sanity preserver. M&S mince pies are a lifesaver, and no one will judge you as harshly as you judge yourself

3. The Endless Social Commitments You do not need to attend every single work do, neighbours drinks parties, or annual family get together unless you REALLY want to and you find it fun. Choose two. Maximum. Your mental health is more important than appearing at six different mulled wine events. I do love a mulled wine though..... 

4. Buying Presents for EVERYONE is not necessary. Look at your list, who absolutely has to be on there and who can you take off. I used to have a huge list, I felt obliged somehow, like it was the right thing to do. I now realise my list was written by the over excited People Pleaser part of me and that I could ignore it and make rational ( and affordable decisions instead. Nobody hated me (as far as i know)

What to Focus On: Your Festive Survival Strategy 

1. Non-Negotiable Self-Care 

Schedule actual rest. This comes first in the list for a good reason. Rest is not "scrolling through Instagram while half-watching a Christmas film". Proper, phone-away, maybe-even-a-nap rest. - Your body is not a machine. Nutrition matters. Yes, there will be chocolates and Prosecco and Panettone (my favourite), but also squeeze in some green vegetables and water. Don't forget a bit of alone time too if that is how you recharge

2. Boundary Setting at Work 

The week before Christmas is not the time for heroic overtime. Delegate. Prioritise. Defer. Remember: No one gets a corporate medal for being the most exhausted. Now, go back and read that again!

3. Emotional Bandwidth Management 

Not every family interaction needs your full emotional investment. Got a potentially tricky relative? Plan some neutral conversational openers. "How about this weather?" can be a lifesaver. Be aware that the behaviours, attitudes and comments of some of your family may irritate or trigger you. There is often a reason why you only spend time with them once a year! If you feel triggered ie upset or emotional, acknowledge it, take yourself off for a while, take a loo break, put the bins out or walk the dog and let yourself feel whatever you feel. Anger is a common one and tells you that a boundary has been crossed. Honour your feelings, process them, don't try to drown them in gin & tonic, that is rarely helpful no matter how tempting !

4. Realistic Expectations 

Christmas is not about perfection. It's about connection. Sometimes that means a lopsided tree, slightly burnt roast potatoes, and absolutely zero matching table settings. In a few days it will all be over. Let's not set ourselves up to be a seething mass of exhaustion and resentment because no one noticed that you had coordinated the tree decorations with the door wreath and the wrapping paper and the children's pyjamas and the dog's new collar. Please remember this is a holiday, a time for celebration and rest and fun

You Are Your Own Secret Weapon

Lets get some perspective. You're incredible you really and truly are. You manage complex projects, lead people, navigate corporate politics, processes and systems and now you're attempting to create a perfectly magical Christmas. Some things will go well. Some will go hilariously wrong. Both are absolutely fine. If stuff does not go perfectly, it is not a bad reflection on you as a person, it really isn't

Now then, I know that none of this is news or a surprise, is it? You understand deep down that you are possibly making things harder for yourself. I see you, I understand this. You are a bright and capable woman, you really are. Your value is not measured in perfection or in the anticipation of everyone's needs, It really isn't. This is your Christmas break too, please, please take it

Final Christmas Directive

Be Kind to Yourself, now is the perfect opportunity to cultivate your practice of self - compassion

This season is not a performance review. There are no KPIs for Christmas joy. Some years, survival is success. Now, go forth. Wear those festive earrings. Drink the mulled wine. Take the nap. You've got this.