This year has brought so much change in our lives. Even the way we celebrate Christmas will be different too. Many of us will not be able to visit family and friends or hold parties and reunions like we usually do. Priorities have changed and people have become less concerned about shopping for presents and instead more set on having a smaller, quieter Christmas. And while many of us feel it best to let go of all the fuss and trifles this time of year usually brings, I believe it is also the perfect time to try and make every day of this last month of the year meaningful in our own ways.
In the book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Daniel Pink talks about the importance of ending on a high note — whether it’s a project, a class, a movie or a chapter in your life. He says that human beings naturally prefer endings that elevate.
“The best endings don’t leave us happy. Instead, they produce something richer — a rush of unexpected insight, a fleeting moment of transcendence, the possibility that by discarding what we wanted we’ve gotten what we need.”
— Daniel Pink, When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing
He adds, “Closings, conclusions, and culminations reveal something essential about the human condition: In the end, we seek meaning.”
I thought that was such an interesting study and that it also makes a lot of sense. If we try to create for ourselves a meaningful ending to this unbelievably terrible year, then we would at least take something good out of it.
I, personally, feel like if it wasn’t for my three young daughters who are still very much bright-eyed and easily awed, I wouldn’t have been able to get myelf to decorate or play Christmas carols or think about celebrating at all. This year has just sucked out a lot of wonder from my soul. They saved me from sinking into that hole. Their optimism and anticipation encouraged me to try to squeeze out as much good as I can from this tragedy. So, yes, one way I see myself doing that is by keeping a December Daily journal once again. In case you’ve never heard of that, you can check out my previous post:
There are many different ways to do December Daily but, since we’re keeping it simple this year, all you really need is a notebook or journal, a pen (you can use colored markers if you like!) and an open mind and heart! If you feel like adding a little more pizzaz to your entries, then you can also use some decorative tape, stickers and ephemera — Christmas themed ones are even better!
Here are some photos of my December Daily journal last year:
As you can see, I simply wrote about what happened that day and how we prepared for the holidays. I journaled about our activities, projects, the places we visited, the parties we attended and the people we met up with. I made sure to write about the things I was learning too.
To help you get started, I put together some ephemera designs this year which you can DOWNLOAD HERE for free! You may print these on sticker paper or inkjet paper, cut them and stick on the pages of your December Daily journal.
One thing I’m doing differently this year is to pick a point of reflection per day. These prompts will hopefully help me find joy in the season and end this year in a more grateful spirit. There are tons of Christmas journaling prompts available online but I decided to put together my own which I’m sharing here with you. Feel free to save the list and journal with me this Christmas.
I encourage you to journal everyday of this Christmas with me, from December first until Christmas day or if you feel up to it, until New Year’s Eve. Let’s try to find hope, wisdom and perhaps a little magic in the season. Hopefully, we’ll find more beauty around us and within us in the process. Hopefully, this will help us end the year on a more positive note.
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