I often lied to myself as December crept closer.

“This is the best time of the year.”
“The weather is getting warmer.”
“There’s less to worry about now that we’re wrapping up.”

None of those statements are entirely true (especially not the one about the weather if you’ve spent years living in Naarm/Melbourne).

The truth is, the end of the year can be one of the hardest times for those working in caregiving roles—teaching, social work, trauma-informed practitioners. It’s a season of transitions, reflections, and often emotional exhaustion.

As a consultant, I support professionals in these roles to prioritise their wellbeing and show up sustainably for those they serve. The following are some strategies I used during my time as a school leader, and I’ve seen them work for others, too. Perhaps they’ll resonate with you as you navigate this season.

Keep your routines

When life feels chaotic, our routines can be an anchor. Right now, it might be tempting to let those routines slide—whether it’s because our Christmas social calendar is overflowing or we’re simply too tired to keep them up—but their benefits are undeniable. The principle of safety—a cornerstone of trauma-informed practice—reminds us that predictability and structure help create a sense of stability, not only for ourselves but for those we support. As the end of year approaches, so too does change, endings, uncertainty and a mix of emotions. The best thing we can do is keep as much certainty as possible.

When I worked in schools, I learned that my routines didn’t just serve me—they also helped create a calm, dependable presence for the young people I worked with and the staff I supported. For example, I committed to starting every day with exercise (even if it was brief), which helped me ground myself before the day began. Regular morning check-ins with staff and students reinforced that sense of predictability amidst the end-of-year whirlwind.

What routines can you hold onto during this busy time? Whether it’s a regular coffee with a colleague, a shared ritual with young people, or a few moments of quiet reflection, these consistent practices help foster safety and predictability.

Celebrate the (small) wins

In roles where we’re focused on others, it’s easy to overlook our achievements. But I learned that taking time to celebrate—even the smallest wins—can create a sense of accomplishment and connection, and that makes it all worth it.

Whether it’s recognising a client’s growth, appreciating a colleague’s effort, or reflecting on how you’ve shown up despite challenges, celebrating the wins helps us focus on what’s working and cultivates a sense of capability.

As you prepare to close the year, take some time to reflect:

What has gone well?
Why has it gone well?
Who should I be celebrating?

Express some gratitude

Gratitude can be a powerful antidote to end-of-year exhaustion. Gratitude has profound benefits for our wellbeing, supported by extensive research in wellbeing science and positive psychology. It can enhance our emotional wellbeing, strengthen relationships (building trust and transparency), build resilience and helps us appreciate the interconnectedness of life.

When I ask podcast guests to share a tip for healing, it’s no surprise that gratitude frequently emerges as a key practice.

So, how can we bring some gratitude into the end of the year?

There are various ways we can practice gratitude, whether it be privately or publicly, so consider what may work best for you:

Write a gratitude journal at the end of the day.
Reflect on who has helped you get through this year. How would you like to express your gratitude to them?
Allow some time in team meetings to share some gratitude
Write someone a gratitude letter
Share some gratitude with your students or clients, too!

Practice self-compassion

This post is all about closing the year with compassion, which of course includes compassion to ourselves. If you’ve been caring for others all throughout the year, there is a chance you’re hitting a bit of fatigue as the end of the year approaches.

Compassion Fatigue is the physical and emotional toll of caring for others when we have not been able to refuel, re-energise, and care for the self. We are naturally compassionate beings and it is not that we have “run out of compassion”, it’s more likely that we’ve neglected ourselves. We don’t need to give up on feeling and being compassionate to get to the end of year, that won’t make us feel any better.

We need to extend our compassionate practices towards ourselves, too. I know as a school leader, I used to hold unrealistic expectations of myself that I would never expect of a colleague. I would then criticise myself when I didn’t meet these expectations. That was a pretty harsh (and exhausting) way to be with myself.

Self compassion is comprised of 3 elements:

Mindfulness
Common humanity
self-kindness

Instead of criticising yourself, try talking to yourself like you would a good friend who is feeling the fatigue, engage in a self-compassion meditation, or talk to someone close to you about how you’re feeling. We highly recommend checking out the free resources and practices that Kristen Neff shares on self-compassion which can be found here.

Mindfully guide those in your care through changes and endings

Transitions and endings can be particularly challenging for those who have experienced trauma. Relationships often represent safety, trust, and stability—qualities that may have taken significant time and effort to build. As the year draws to a close, it’s important to approach these changes with care and intentionality, recognising their emotional weight for everyone involved.

I remember preparing to leave my first teaching position. I had spent 3 years working alongside some students who were residing in Out-of-Home-Care. I was worried that me leaving might have a negative impact on them, but as I navigated this upcoming change, I came to realise leaving was also emotionally challenging for me. Building relationships with these young people took time, and after 3 years of working alongside them, they had become a big part of my life, too.

So, as I prepared to leave, I spent time sharing reflections with each of these young people, letting them know why I was leaving, what I had gained from knowing them, that I would remember them and think of them in the future. I allowed time for them to ask questions and share how they were feeling, too.

If you’re navigating the end of some relationships as the year closes ensure you give plenty of notice about upcoming changes. Whether it’s staff departures, program adjustments, or shifts in routine—timing can make a significant difference. This isn’t just about being practical; it’s about respecting the need for predictability, a cornerstone of trauma-informed practice. Time to prepare allows individuals to process and adjust, helping to ease the stress of the unknown.

Take time to acknowledge the effort it has taken to build relationships, especially in trauma-affected contexts where trust may not come easily. Reflecting on what the relationship has meant can help those we support feel valued and seen. Celebrating the connection, even in small ways, can bring warmth and a sense of closure.

If you’re a practitioner who is approaching the end of year with limited information and a tonne of uncertainty, you’re not alone (it happens)! It’s important to acknowledge that uncertainty can be hard. It’s natural to feel unsettled or anxious when you don’t know exactly what’s coming. In those moments, focus on what you can control (hint: routines!), think about your intentional wellbeing practices, and give yourself time and space to process information as it’s shared.

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Closing the year with compassion: practical trauma-informed wellbeing tips