Because we can’t even buy Halloween candy without Mariah Carey warming up her vocals 🎃
You know the vibe.
We’re only halfway through October, you’re reaching for a pumpkin spice latte, and suddenly the aisles are blasting “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Halloween hasn’t even happened yet and somehow, you’re already “behind” on holiday cheer.
This phenomenon has a name: The Holiday Creep. And it’s not just retail chaos. It’s emotional chaos too.
🧠 Why It Feels So Overwhelming
When the holidays start sneaking in early, your brain flips into planning mode way too soon.
Suddenly, you’re mentally juggling:
- Gifts and money
- Family gatherings and social expectations
- And that unspoken pressure to be happy, grateful, and glowing
It’s like emotional multitasking on overdrive.
Your body’s ready to cozy up for fall, but your mind’s racing past Christmas and right to the New Years goals you said you wouldn’t stress about. That mismatch is what triggers the “holiday dread” feeling before the holidays even begin.
💥 The Pressure Starts Early (and Stays Too Long)
Holiday marketing doesn’t just sell stuff. It sells feelings: joy, togetherness, sparkle.
So when you’re not quite feeling it yet (because hi, it’s still spooky season), you start wondering what’s wrong with you.
That low-level guilt builds, and before long, the “most wonderful time of the year” starts to feel like a months-long performance review.
☕ How to Slow the Creep
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Set your own timeline.
You decide when your holiday season begins. November? December? Go for it.
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Control your inputs.
Swap the mall playlist for something calm. Skip the commercials. You’re not required to “feel festive” on demand.
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Redefine what celebration looks like.
Maybe it’s quiet, cozy, imperfect not Pinterest-perfect. Your peace counts more than the pressure your mom puts on you to impress the family.
🌲 The Bottom Line
If you’re still in pumpkin mode (and you should be), stay there.
Mariah can wait!
Source: Tenor.com
