Why December can feel extra stressful as an expat in Japan

December in Japan hits differently when you've lived here for over a decade. I know the rhythms by now, I know what's coming, and somehow it still feels like the busiest, most mentally cluttered month of the year. It's not confusion anymore, moreso the sheer volume of everything happening all at once.

A big part of it is living between two worlds. I'm settled enough to move through the end-of-year routines here smoothly, but I'm still running a full parallel track of overseas obligations. Here it's more of a focus on New Year preparations (cleaning, contemplating decorations, wrapping up work bits and pieces), but I've also been organizing Christmas gifts for family overseas, juggling shipping deadlines, and mentally calculating who we need to call and when. I'd say that none of it is overly complicated, it's just constant.

Then there's the social load. Bonenkai dinners, end-of-year school events, neighborhood obligations...none of it is unfamiliar anymore, but it stacks up. I'm just tired! 

How are you faring in December so far? Overwhelmed, or managing just fine?