Well, we made it - it is December. In fact, we are well into December which may be a good time to ask - how is everything going?

My husband has a funny saying…”You don’t have to do anything, and December just fills up.” When he first said this I did not understand, but now looking back, he is right. You literally don’t have to do anything and all of a sudden you have a full or semi full month of December. This does not have to be a bad thing (for all of you out there who like to have a less busy calendar), and for those of you who do like to have a full dance card, jump on in!

The busy-ness of December is not always due to festive holidays and parties and the like - December is also an end of year time where many people are trying to get to the finish line on projects, loose ends, and other various and assorted things that need to get done before January 2026 arrives (!!) Thoughts of new year travel start to eek their way into our minds, and we start to spin a little with all of the hustle bustle.

So, it is perhaps most important to try and keep the mind decluttered, even where it feels that there is nothing in there but a cluttered mess. Here are some suggestions on how to keep a decluttered mind during this festive holiday December season:

(1) When making plans, make sure not to over schedule which can leave you tired and depleted - not exactly how you want to feel during a fun holiday time!

(2) Create a parking lot for your thoughts…During this time of year stuff can pop up into your mind of things to do, buy, etc…Whenever a thought pops up—something to buy, someone to text, something you’re worried about—drop it into your parking lot. Your lot may be the notes app in your phone or computer, or a small notebook but you get the jist. Your mind relaxes when it trusts you won’t forget things.

(3) Put aside some time for silence - you don’t need long meditation sessions, all you need to do is close your eyes, take one breath in and one slow breath out, make sure to let your shoulders drop. You can do this anytime you transition between activities; it resets your nervous system and clears mental fog.

(4) Try to simplify what you can, and ask yourself this question: “If this disappeared would it actually matter?” You can apply this thinking to social obligations, holiday traditions you don’t actually enjoy, hosting obligations that are not needed, and also the quest for everything to be perfect - you can let that one go too! Remember, the calmer you are, the more present you can be, and this will lead to a happier and healthier holiday season.

(5) This one is important - practice non-engagement with stressful people. If you’re dealing with difficult relatives, decluttering your mind includes decluttering your emotional energy: Your calm is your boundary.

(6) Last but not least, build in some recovery time for yourself during a busy season. It could be a 10 minute walk, a coffee, or just a few minutes alone - rest isn’t a luxury—it’s mental hygiene.

Feel free to add to your list whatever other things that you think can help you keep a decluttered mind during the holidays, and have a happy healthy holiday season -however you celebrate!

This will be my last newsletter for 2025, and starting in January, some exciting things are on the horizon! Drum roll please!

I would like to invite you to listen to my brand new podcast The Declutter Queen! First episode will be out in January so watch for it wherever you listen to podcasts.

Declutter U the newsletter, will continue and you are welcome to continue with your free subscription where you will receive 2 newsletters a month sent to your inbox. However, if you want to amp up your decluttering game, I invite you to become a paid subscriber to the Declutter U newsletter. This level of subscription entitles you to 4 newsletters a month, but wait, there’s more! Each month you will be able to book a free 15 minute session with me to provide you with a more personalized touch in your decluttering journey. As a Paid subscriber I will also send you a weekly checklist so you can stay on task for the decluttering project of the week.

Also, as a subscriber (free or paid) I invite you to email me any decluttering burning questions you would like me to try and answer on the podcast and I will do my best to do so - simply send me an email at [email protected].

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