Lessons Learned: What Actually Kept Me Joyful This Year (and What I’m Not Repeating Next Time)
By the time December winds down, I always feel the pull to reflect — not in a dramatic “new year, new me” way, but in a very practical one. What worked this year? What quietly kept me grounded? And what added stress that I don’t need to carry into next season?
Learning to reflect has taught me something important: joy doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing a few things consistently — and letting “good enough” be good enough when the calendar gets full.
Here’s what truly went well… and what I’m changing next year.
What Went Well (and Why I’m Keeping It)
1. Most mornings started with prayer or Bible study
This was the anchor. Even on rushed mornings, beginning the day grounded made everything else feel more manageable. When I skipped it, I felt it.
Bible study not your thing? What about a gratitude journal or a great self-care book?
2. I (mostly) kept up with my exercise routine
This one required commitment, not perfection. There were days I showered after a hard class, threw on makeup, wore my hair down to a later lighter class, and bolted straight out the door to make a holiday brunch with coworkers.
Was it glamorous? No.
Was it worth it? Absolutely.
Eighty percent consistency is sometimes the win.
3. Ket sugar and alcohol to a minimum
This wasn’t about restriction — it was about energy. Less sugar meant fewer crashes, steadier moods, and far less holiday burnout.
4. I gave gifts before Thanksgiving
As you think through the appreciation-worthy folks in your life — teachers, stylists, sanitation workers, exercise instructors, postal staff, cleaning ladies, office teammates — consider which gifts you can take care of before Thanksgiving.
Getting those decisions made early removed an enormous amount of mental clutter. December felt lighter because of it.
5. I worked on Christmas cards during my Thanksgiving road trip to see family
This might be one of my favorite decisions. Using “in-between” time for holiday tasks freed up actual December days to enjoy the season. Yes, the tradeoff was some kid screen time. But it worked.
6. I cheated and used a sleep aid during the home stretch, the final days before school let out.
Three to five nights. A quarter to a third of a Unisom tablet. Not ideal — but realistic. Sleep mattered more than perfection, and I have zero regrets.
7. Smoothies saved the day
On chaotic days when protein and vegetables weren’t happening any other way, smoothies kept me nourished instead of depleted.
8. Black Friday shopping (for others… and myself)
Most Christmas gifts were handled early — and yes, a few thoughtful things for myself too. Planning ahead made December feel indulgent instead of frantic.
9. I kept up with work — decently
Not flawlessly. But steadily. And during this season, that counts.
10. I made time to see family and close friends
No explanation needed. This is always worth the effort.
What I’m Doing Differently Next Year
Let me let you in on a couple of Christmas flops and what I learned from them.
1. Groom before Thanksgiving — no exceptions
Waiting until the last week of November was a mistake. The only appointment available was the Monday of the final week of school… and my at-home wax attempt? Let’s just say I lost about three-quarters of an inch of skin and attended every holiday party that week visibly wounded.
Lesson learned. Plan ahead. Always.
2. Have three foolproof holiday recipes ready
When you need to bring something last minute, stress is not the vibe. I’m skipping experimental baking (looking at you, dry buñuelos) and sticking to reliable favorites:
- Sausage casserole
- Candied bacon
- One other easy crowd-pleaser
Simple. Done.
3. Pre-schedule a couple babysitters in evenings mid-December — even “just in case”
There are nights you don’t think you’ll need childcare… until you suddenly do. Booking two to three backup dates will save future me a lot of scrambling to run final errands.
4. Block regular Christmas events on the calendar early
This doesn’t mean you must attend everything — it just means you’re not surprised by it.
- Annual school events? On the calendar.
- Traditions with the same friend group? On the calendar.
- Recurring holiday commitments? Already there.
- Spirit week at school strikingly similar each year? Calendaring now.
Clarity reduces stress.
5. Start earlier. Always earlier.
This one keeps repeating for a reason. Ha!
6. Take care of myself in October
October sets the tone for December. Next year, I’ll:
- Buy jeans early if I need them
- Plan kids’ Christmas outfits in advance
- Decide on party outfits before panic sets in
- Pay a little more when it removes stress
Waiting meant rushed alterations, frantic calls to three different tailors, and unnecessary anxiety right before Christmas plans. Not worth it.
7. Be smarter about Black Friday purchases
I ordered a few things for myself without trying them on first — which turned into a post–Black Friday return headache I could have avoided. Next year, I’ll try pieces on in store first, then order once the sale opens — no guessing, no returns.
8. Solve the bulky gift problem (especially in a tiny house)
Wrapping large, awkward presents in a small space added an outsized amount of stress this year — and I still haven’t fully cracked the code. This is one area I genuinely want to improve next season.
If you have smart, sanity-saving strategies for storing or wrapping big gifts without turning your house into a shipping center, I’m all ears.
The Real Takeaway
Joy didn’t come from doing everything perfectly this year. It came from:
- Planning earlier (taking a picture now of my kid’s Spirit Week schedule so I can save it into my calendar for next year and start that hunt much earlier)
- Choosing consistency over intensity
- Allowing practical solutions (even imperfect ones)
- Protecting my energy before the season demanded it
That’s the version of holiday living I’m carrying forward — calmer, lighter, and far more joyful.
And next year? With a little earlier planning and far less skin loss, I think it gets even better.
