Year End Reset
my 5 small Habits to Stay Calm in December
Every December, I feel like my mind turns into a messy desktop.
Too many tabs open. Half finished tasks everywhere. Notifications I don’t even want to check.
This year feels extra heavy.
Double Duty December Stress
Right now, my biggest focus is my daughter’s term test at the end of November.
I’m doing all the revision with her, no outside tuition.
It’s tough sometimes, but I want her to enjoy learning without pressure.
Honestly? It’s worth it. I see her growth. I know exactly what she’s learning. And our bond has never been stronger.
Plus, my own knowledge gets refreshed along the way.
(Do you want some tips on how to make home study effective and stress free,? check out my previous article How to Make Kids Study at Home.)
Meanwhile, December is full of little events that chip away at my focus
- First week: My son’s playgroup Christmas party means dresses, preparation, excitement, and tiny chaos.
- Next week: My little girl’s school carol concert, of course more dresses, rehearsals, nerves, and glitter everywhere.
Then, school holidays start. My work routines go upside down. Distractions everywhere.
And yes, clients are on vacation. Income slows. Financial stress rises.
I still need to handle Christmas shopping, holiday outings, and prep for the new year.
Last week, folding school uniforms and thinking about all this, I realized
I need a reset.
Not a big one. Just a simple, human reset that helps me breathe again.
The Moment I Knew It Was Time
It was a normal Wednesday evening. Work was busy. Kids were noisy. My phone kept buzzing nonstop.
I thought, “How am I going to survive December without losing my mind?”
So I decided to slow down. Clear my mind. Make space for what really matters.
Letting Go of Mental Clutter
You know that invisible weight we carry? The expectations, the guilt, the financial stress, the holiday chaos…
I sat down with a cup of tea and wrote everything that was bothering me. Not to solve it all. Just to empty my mind.
Here is some of what spilled onto the page,
- The exact school fees needed for next year.
- Client follow ups that could wait until end of January.
- Family budget planning
- The pressure of finding the “perfect” gift.
- The guilt over not finishing every item on my old to do list.
Honestly, that simple act of brain dumping alone felt like a major reset.
small Habits That Helped Me Survive December
I didn’t conquer the world. I just focused on small, simple habits that created boundaries and protected my energy.
- No fuss meal
- Twice a week, I stop trying to be a chef. Toast and scrambled eggs. Or even takeout. One less decision, one more hour for my mind.
- Pre Decide Social Nights
- I looked at my calendar and blocked three non negotiable evenings before invitations even arrived. If an event falls on those nights, the answer is automatically “No.” Zero guilt.
- Chore Free Holidays
- I identified the one task I always feel pressured to do before the new year. The deep, top to bottom house refresh and simply declared it optional. I’m only doing the necessary cleaning, nothing more.
- Budget Review
- I sat down for 30 minutes to review the budget, school fees, gifts and other expenses. Naming the stress and making a plan made it less frightening.
- Late Night Netflix
- Instead of rushing to bed, I claim one hour after everyone is asleep. A short Christmas movie or calming show. My sacred reset time. The one hour I take to fully relax and reset.
What I’m Keeping
- Patience.
- Slow mornings.
- Boundaries.
- Presence with my children during their milestones.
What I’m Leaving Behind
- Guilt.
- Pressure to do it all.
- Trying to be everywhere at once.
A Gentle Reminder for the year end
You don’t need a big plan to reset your life.
Sometimes, all you need is a small pause… a quiet moment… a simple shift in your routine.
December is hectic. Life is hectic. But January doesn’t need a new version of you.
It just needs a lighter, calmer you and a heart that remembers what really matters.
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