As 2024 draws to a close, Hanoi seems to move at double speed. The city is alive with its usual year-end hustle, but beneath the festive lights and cheerful gatherings lies a wave of stress rippling through its people.

December has a way of condensing a year's worth of unfinished business into a few frantic weeks. Work demands escalate, personal responsibilities pile up and even joyous occasions carry an unspoken weight.

Among those most burdened by this time are government employees. This year, new directives aimed at streamlining operations have added complexity to their workload. Many employees face increased responsibilities, tighter deadlines and higher expectations. A friend who is a civil servant confided: "It's not just the volume of work, it's the constant pressure to adapt and deliver, knowing there's no room for error". Her story reflects a wider reality: societal and institutional changes often add to the individual pressures people face during an already hectic season.

In the private sector, the pace is no less demanding. My friend, a marketing manager at an agency, is weathering her own storm of responsibilities. With several creative campaigns to complete for demanding clients, her days are consumed by work. But that's not all: she's also juggling the emotional and logistical weight of family commitments, raising a young child and attending an endless string of end-of-year parties. "I feel like I'm being pulled in every direction," she says, a sentiment echoed by many at this time of year.

The symptoms of stress are everywhere. People seem drained, moving through their days with less energy and more fatigue. It's the kind of exhaustion that seeps into conversations, body language and even little things like falling asleep on the bus or zoning out in a meeting.

This year brings unique challenges as New Year's Day and Lunar New Year fall unusually close together. Families are scrambling to prepare for two major holidays, balancing year-end spending with the traditional demands of Tet. For many, this means carefully managing tight budgets while ensuring that no detail is overlooked, whether it's stocking up on holiday essentials, decorating the home or planning family get-togethers. Businesses are also feeling the pinch, racing to meet targets, finalize reports and set their strategies for the year ahead.

Hanoi itself is a reflection of this intensity. The streets are packed with honking cars and motorbikes cutting through the chaos. Cafes are packed with people hunched over laptops, rushing to finish work before the holidays. Shopping districts buzz with activity as last-minute shoppers scour stores for the perfect gifts or essentials. Meanwhile, bars, clubs and restaurants are packed, a testament to how many people seek solace in celebration, even amidst the chaos. I've experienced this first hand when I tried to book a table for New Year's Eve with friends, only to be told "Sorry, no seats available".

But it's not all doom and gloom. Even in the midst of this whirlwind, there are moments of reflection and connection. A friend recently shared how, during a quiet gathering, they looked back on the year's accomplishments and challenges. "It's been a tough year," they admitted, "but I've realized how much I've grown. It's been meaningful." These small moments of gratitude remind us that even in stressful times, there is room for joy and perspective.

Yet for many, the default response to year-end stress is simply to "go with the flow." This flow, however, can often feel like a flood that sweeps people along without pause. The cultural emphasis on community and tradition adds another layer to this dynamic. Year-end gatherings, Tet preparations, and social obligations have a dual nature-they're both a source of connection and a cause of exhaustion. While these rituals are deeply rooted in meaning, they often leave little room for personal downtime.

So how do we get through it? Perhaps the answer lies in redefining what this time of year means to us. Instead of treating December as a final sprint, we can think of it as a bridge-a moment to transition from the old to the new, to reflect on what we've accomplished and how we want to move forward.

Finding balance doesn't require grand gestures. It's in the small, intentional acts: a quiet cup of tea at sunrise, a walk through the serene streets of Hanoi before the city wakes up, or a meaningful conversation with someone who matters. These moments remind us that the essence of this season is not to be found in perfectly executed plans, but in the connections we make with others and with ourselves.

As the New Year approaches, let's challenge the rush to the finish line. Instead of arriving exhausted, let's enter the new year prepared and ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead. Ultimately, what defines this time is not how much we accomplish, but how present we are in the moments that truly matter.