Is your December magical like a Hallmark movie? Or is it overwhelming, overscheduled and exhausting?
Even with fun get togethers, gift exchanges, baking projects, December can get away from us. Then, for those of us still working, add deadlines and quotas and customer needs and ay yi yi!
Just like that we enter January totally exhausted, maybe a bit bloated and then we need to remove all those decorations.
Sounds fun, no? Um, no.
I remember when having a week off between Christmas and New Years seemed heavenly, but man did that go fast!
But nowadays my life is much different and I’m here today to share what I’ve learned over the years.
Just a few simple lifestyle hacks can help you slow down, stay organized and actually enjoy the final weeks of the year.
Create a “December Only” To-Do List
This is a good month to let your usual goals slide.
Create a short and realistic list for just this season.
Focusing on essentials only, wrapping up loose ends (especially at work) and urgent tasks keeps you productive and avoids burnout.
Declutter
What?! You ask! I know. But honestly, if you try just one small space per day like a drawer or shelf or even your email folder, you will merit big wins.
Getting through Christmas with less clutter will make taking down the décor a lot easier.
Fast
Again. What?! I know, stay with me here. If you can miss one meal a week and give your stomach and your system a rest, you might feel better. And after fasting it is easier to moderate consumption for the next meal.
If health concerns prohibit food fasting, consider another kind of small fast. Maybe put technology down for 4 hours?
Simplify Meal Planning
If you are cooking for more than one, simplify December meals by making a weekly theme.
Meal decisions can be absolutely fatiguing. We do something like Soup Sunday, Taco Tuesday (which is almost never on a Tuesday), Slow Cooker Something.
We frequently make enough at one meal a day to have leftovers.
We are lucky that we are a family who likes leftovers and don’t throw too much food away.
Leftover meals take a lot of pressure off for planning, prepping and cooking.
Prep for January
Start a rough January calendar, penciling in events you have planned, birthdays, appointments, etc.
Set a small goal that excites you. Maybe a road trip or a home project.
Create a Cozy Night Ritual
Dim lighting and a cup of hot tea is just about as cozy as it gets.
But did I share the coziest and cutest slippers ever with you? Oh, yes I did.
When my sisters were here, I bought all of us these adorable fuzzy slippers which are now $10 at Amazon.
For a relaxing early evening in, I like to give my skincare routine a little love. Instead of skipping a step here and there, I apply all the goodies. Then cross my fingers and hope I look a little better in the morning.
Exercise Lightly
Scheduling a heavy exercise session really might not make sense during December. Don’t pile on the guilt. Let it go.
But if you can, you’ll feel better with light exercise.
Our park now is so beautiful. My Sunday stroll was an easy pace and just enjoyment of the day.
I am pretty sure I didn’t get my heart rate up and I didn’t lift any weights. But this is what I did. Simple.
Not everyone enjoys 80° days in December, but take what you have and do what you can.
Never forget that a noon walk in August doesn’t happen around here, but December in Arizona can be heavenly.
Wrap Up
Don’t expect that every day in December will be productive or festive.
Let the slow moments come and enjoy them.
I hope these simple hacks I use inspire you to let this year end well, feeling peaceful, organized and ready for what’s next.
Thank you for joining me and have a good week!