Creating Your December “What’s In / What’s Out” List

December arrives every year with a familiar script: rush, squeeze it all in, wrap things up, and show up for everyone and everything.  But beneath the noise, nature whispers something entirely different: slow down, turn inward, restore what has been stretched thin.

One of my favourite ways to anchor this intention is to sit down with my journal on the 1st of December and create a simple “What’s In / What’s Out” list.

I draw a line down the centre of the page and make two headings — one for inclusion, one for exclusion — and fill in what I want to bring into my month and what I’m choosing to leave behind.

It’s not just a planning exercise; it is also a moment of reflection and reclamation.  It’s permission to be selective, to honour your energy, and to consciously choose where your time, attention, and care go.

What’s In / What’s Out: Examples to Inspire You

What’s In might include:

• Simple moments of connection with yourself each day

• 10–15 minutes of screen-free time in the morning or evening

• A slow cup of tea or warm drink as a ritual, not a rushed task

• Movement that feels nourishing — yoga, qigong, or a mindful stretch

• Breathwork, meditation, or journaling to centre your mind

• Moments of gratitude or noticing nature

• Reading

What’s Out could be:

• Overcommitting to social events or tasks that drain you

• Mindless scrolling or endless news consumption

• Comparing yourself to others or trying to meet unrealistic expectations

• Rushing through meals or self-care routines

• Carrying guilt for resting or saying no

The beauty of this practice is that it is completely personal; your list can reflect whatever feels necessary for your wellbeing.  There’s no right or wrong, only what supports your energy and brings ease to your month.

What “Slow” Might Look Like in December

Beyond the list, here are some gentle ways to bring slowness into your daily life:

• Choosing one night a week that is entirely screen-free, or limiting screen time to 15 minutes before bed and upon waking

• Saying no to one social obligation and offering yourself an evening of quiet nourishment instead

• Lighting a candle before bed and taking ten slow, intentional breaths

• Letting yourself do one daily task — making tea, folding washing, brushing your hair — at half your usual speed

• Stepping outside for two minutes to feel the winter air on your skin before you start your day

• Turning a bath into a ritual rather than a task

• Turning your morning or evening drink into a grounding moment instead of something grabbed on the go

• Taking the long exhale whenever possible, letting your body soften even in tiny increments

These practices don’t fix the cultural mismatch of the season, but they do help you return to your mind and body with small rebellions, gentle refusals, and quiet yeses to yourself.

Creating Your Own December Ritual

The “What’s In / What’s Out” list is a simple tool, but it can be transformative. Pair it with small, deliberate moments of slowness, and you begin to create a December that is restorative, not exhausting.

This month, I invite you to join me in making space for slow as a medicine. Draw your line down the page, fill your lists, and notice how the act of choosing yourself can bring ease, clarity, and replenishment into the season.

If you’d like a little extra guided support, you might be interested in Rest Reset, a nourishing programme of practices designed to help you rest, restore, and reconnect with yourself this winter.