A Kind Reminder in Dec
✉️ Originally shared in my December newsletter 2025— now available here for easy access and sharing.
A kind reminder and 4 questions to help you think and act kind aswell.
December always arrives with a mix of joy and pressure for me.
I love this season, the warmth, the people, the energy. But at the same time at work, I want to deliver before year-end deadlines, wrap up projects, finish strong. Meanwhile my calendar fills with social gatherings, family traditions, all these things I want to show up for.
I want to do all of it and do it well.
But this week, I had to face the reality that I couldn’t.
Things didn’t fit, no matter how much I tried to stretch myself. And saying no felt surprisingly difficult. Almost like turning something down meant I wasn’t social enough, not capable enough, not quite the person I want to be and am.
But then I reminded myself of something important:
One action or one week doesn’t define all of me. It’s the consistent behaviours that do. And it’s not black and white, it’s not either/or. I can be many things.
I can say no sometimes and still be fun, driven, and make things happen.
I can do a little less at work or at home and still create great results and a lovely holiday feeling.
I can be the social one and sometimes the introvert.
So if you’re also feeling the December pull in several directions, here are four questions I use to be a bit more kind and honest to myself.
4 questions to ask yourself
❓ How am I actually doing?
Answer with one word or sentence. No judgement, just noticing.
❓ If I were honest and kind to myself this week, what is the three things I really need to do?
❓What am I trying to squeeze in that I don’t have the energy for or don’t truly need to do?
To help letting go, ask yourself: Who am I doing it for? And when does it really need to be done?
Then decide: “This week, I allow myself not to…”
❓Choose a sentence to guide you
“I am driven/capable/fun but this week I choose to have more time to myself / to do fewer things / to take a step back / to observe instead of act.”
