A New December Mindset

Every year, December arrives with this strange mix of excitement and overwhelm.

The holidays, the parties, the school events, the cookies, the travel… and then there’s us, trying to juggle everything while quietly thinking about what we didn’t get done this year.

And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had this thought:

“Well… I didn’t lose the weight.

I didn’t work on that business idea.

I didn’t stay consistent.

So what’s the point now?

I’ll just start in January.”

I’ve been there. I used to treat December as the month to disconnect — to drop my routines, ignore my habits, and eat with the mindset of: “Whatever… I’ll start fresh next year.”

Maybe you’ve done the same.

Why We Check Out in December

Our brains love fresh starts, researchers even call it the “fresh start effect,” meaning that certain moments in the year naturally inspire us to begin again. These “new chapters” make it easier to break old patterns and create momentum toward better habits.

A Monday feels like a reset.

A new month feels like a clean slate.

And a new year? That one hits differently.

Because we crave that perfect beginning, December becomes this “pre-January” zone where we mentally check out and tell ourselves nothing counts until the new year.

But here’s what I learned:

You don’t need a perfect beginning. You just need a practice round.

A New December Mindset

What if December wasn’t the month you abandon your habits… but the month you test them?

What if this became the month where you slow down enough to notice yourself again? The month where you practice healthier choices without pressure. Where you learn what routines actually fit your real life, not the imaginary perfect version of it.

December can be the safest month to try something new, because there’s no expectation to be perfect.

You’re simply experimenting.

Observing.

Building discipline.

Showing up just a little bit — even inside the chaos.

You don’t need to crush goals in December. You don’t need to fix everything.

But you can use these four weeks to support the version of you that’s coming in January.

How to Use the Last 4 Weeks of the Year Wisely

Here’s the mindset shift that changed everything for me: December is not about perfection, it’s about working on yourself while still enjoying the season.

Try these:

Awareness

Notice your habits without judgment.

Where are you disconnecting?

Where do you still feel strong?

What feels heavy or draining?

Mini Adjustments

Add one small routine you want to carry into January:

• A 10-minute walk

• Drinking more water

• Stretching

• Putting your phone down earlier

Pick one thing. Not five.

Trial & Error

Practice your “January you”:

• A new morning routine

• A bedtime ritual

• Healthier snacks

• A planning style

• A workout schedule

Reflection & Intention

Ask yourself (or write in a journal):

What worked this month?

What felt good?

What do I want more of next year?

What can I release?

End the year with clarity, not guilt.

This Year, You Finish Strong — Not Perfect

Small steps taken before a fresh start dramatically increase long-term consistency. That’s how discipline grows: slowly, gently, through tiny choices that build up over time.

December isn’t a “lost month.”

It’s your launchpad.

This is your chance to show up for yourself, imperfectly but intentionally.

Small steps count.

Trying again counts.

Choosing yourself always counts.

Your January doesn’t start on the 1st. It starts with the choices you make today and by allowing yourself to have fun in the process.

We got this!!

Dani :)