No Regrets This December: A Guide to Surviving the Season Without Losing Yourself

December hits different.
Deadlines. Nights out. House parties. Family events. Work shifts. Group chats buzzing.
And a whole mix of holidays happening at once; Christmas, Hanukkah, Yule, Winter Solstice, Pancha Ganapati, and plenty of others people celebrate (or don’t celebrate) in their own way.

It’s a lot.
And when you’re juggling uni or college life on top of it, the pressure to “make the most of it” can turn into “accidentally doing too much”, especially around drinking and drugs.

This isn’t about telling you what you should do.
It’s about giving you a few tools so you can end 2025 without the hangxiety, the blurry nights or the “why did I send that text” energy.
Basically: less regret, more control.

1. Don’t let FOMO run the month

You don’t need to say yes to everything.
Pick the events that actually matter to you. The ones with the people who feel like home, not the ones that drain you.

If you’re celebrating holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, or Yule, remember that rest is part of the season too.

If you’re not celebrating anything, you still don’t owe anyone a packed social calendar.

2. Set your own pace

If you’re drinking, try:

alternating drinks
choosing how many before you start
having a cut-off time so you actually remember the night

If you use drugs, remember:

you don’t know the strength
mixing substances is where things often go wrong
your body needs food, water and breaks

Small choices = fewer regrets.

3. Know your exit strategy

You’re allowed to leave early.
Blame the bus. Blame your 9am lecture. Blame your sudden urge to go home and eat toast.

Or skip the excuse completely.
Your boundaries don’t need a reason.

4. Look after your mates (and make sure they look after you)

Make a quick plan:

who’s going together
who’s checking in
how everyone’s getting home
signal or code word if someone needs a breather

Group safety doesn’t kill the vibe. It protects it.

5. Notice what your body is telling you

This time of year is heavy for loads of people.
Family pressures, loneliness, mental health dips, money worries, the cold – all of it.

If you’re using substances to cope, you’re not alone, and you’re not broken.
Just keep checking in with yourself. If things are starting to feel less like fun and more like escape, that’s a sign worth listening to.

6. You can ask for help. Even over the holidays

Forward Leeds is still here.
Whether you’re worried about your own drug or alcohol use, or someone else’s, you can reach out for advice or support with no judgement.

Sometimes the bravest thing is just opening the door or making that call.