Here in London, as in many places in the northern hemisphere, December sees the arrival of cold weather and truly shorter days. Sunset was at 3:54 pm yesterday and sunrise 7:45 today, leaving us two thirds of the day in darkness. So whether we are Christians or not, December with its Christmas lights and cheerful tunes is an opportunity to feel more alive, lighter, than during other winter months.

Unfortunately, December can also heighten our sense of loneliness and loss. With businesses pushing consumption more than ever and hiking prices, we may also feel financial scarcity. 

So how can we enjoy December and avoid the gloom?

December is another month of our usual obligations: work, children or people we might take care of, shopping, cooking, cleaning; and if you celebrate Christmas, you will have an extra to-do list: put up the decorations, find presents, write cards, order food, etc. It can feel overwhelming.

Structure and planning are essential. Planning will allow you to feel more in control, reduce anxiety and ensure everything gets done in a timely manner. See below for the ultimate planning workbook that I found.

Structure might seem like an unattractive word but I encourage you to invite it in so that you manage to have time for yourself, relax and enjoy yourself for a few moments every day. See Idea #2 below. 

December mindfulness means that we are consciously moving through the month, noticing the changes, the beauty and the the things we don’t like so much. We are being present and noticing what matters to us and ignoring what doesn’t so that we can create a time that we enjoy. 

When I was a kid, I used to have Advent calendars that had a Christmassy picture behind each number. No chocolate, no toy, but I was enchanted every day. This year, I decided I wasn’t going to buy two chocolate Advent calendars for my young adult children. Instead, I bought one that has a Christmas scene little 30-piece jigsaw puzzle for each day. We are loving it. It’s a moment of  togetherness in the build-up to Christmas. When they leave home, I might still buy something similar for myself. 

In the meantime, I am enjoying making a little journal for the season. I am testing this hot chocolate later today.
 

3 QUOTES

• “I heard a bird sing in the dark of December. A magical thing. And sweet to remember. We are nearer to Spring than we were in September. I heard a bird sing in the dark of December.” 
  ― Oliver Herford

• ”Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” 
  — Hal Borland

• ”In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” 
  — Albert Camus
   (One of my all-time favourite quotes)

2 IDEAS

• If you don’t know Beth Kempton, this is a prefect time to discover her. She has created the most thorough December planning workbook this year and it’s free. Get it here. Beth is a talented, warm and generous presence online. She also has a wonderful seasonal podcast called ‘The Calm Christmas Podcast’. And, if you like journaling or writing, she offers a free two-week course starting on December 28, called ‘Winter Writing Sanctuary 2023’. I have been following her for years and she is one of the most inspirational and genuine people out there.
   
• Why not create a December routine this year and allow time for comfort and joy? There are so many daily challenges and courses that only require a few minutes every day but will give you a dose of self-care. From Instagram photo challenges to art journaling courses, there are so many options and some are free. I have chosen to do Liz Lamoreux’s ‘Five Things (December Version) and to make a delightful little journal with lovely things from magazines as well as my responses to her prompts. I have also decided to watch a Christmas movie, read a book or article, listen to a story or a podcast all related to Christmas. It all depends on how much time I have that day.

1 QUESTION

What do you want to remember to do and be in December? 
Make those two lists now.

Valerie 

http://valeriemarsh.com