It seems a little strange to be already in the last month of my year of ‘intention’! Time goes by faster, the older you get, it seems. In December, I’m choosing to be intentionally peaceful.
Intentionally Peaceful In December
December has always felt like a paradox to me. It’s a month filled with beauty—twinkling lights, festive warmth, and a sense of celebration—but it’s also one of the busiest and most overwhelming times of the year. There are so many demands, so many expectations, and it’s easy to get caught up in the rush.
Growing up, most Decembers meant holidays at my grandparents’ place and lots of fun with the extended family. But as I got older, I enjoyed these times less and less. The forced festivity and the socialising left me quite drained. These family gatherings often ended with my father drinking too much, a situation that, while seemingly unnoticed by others, always left my mother and me stressed and irritated.
After marrying José Decembers were good, especially since we both preferred to avoid the large Christmas and New Year’s festivities. We cooked special meals and had a cozy time in. But when we moved to Hyderabad, there was pressure to attend family celebrations. We chose not to, but there was pressure and having to resist for a couple of years, until they realised we would not give in! 😉
I have residual anxiety from all the years before and end up feeling quite stressed in December. This year, I’m approaching the month differently. Instead of letting the season sweep me away, I’m choosing to be intentionally peaceful. I want to embrace the calm and stillness this time of year can offer, if I’m open to it.
I began by seeking guidance from Nature. December is a season of rest in the natural world. The days are shorter; the air feels quieter, and everything seems to slow down. I’ve realized that I don’t have to mirror the hectic energy around me. Instead, I can follow nature’s example and give myself permission to pause. It’s a reminder that even in a world urging me to do more, I can choose to do less and feel more.
I’ve also come to understand that peace isn’t something that happens by accident. It’s a choice I need to make repeatedly. This month, I’m focusing on how connected I feel—to myself, to the people I care about, and to the moments I’m experiencing.
One thing I’ve started doing is carving out small moments of stillness each day. These don’t have to be grand or time-consuming; they just need to be intentional. Stopping to read and ruminate on something. Enjoying a mid morning cuppa. Stopping to take a picture of something lovely that I see. Watching some simple, Christmas movies. Even a few deep breaths in the middle of a busy day help me reset. These little moments anchor me, reminding me I can choose calm even when life feels chaotic.
Another way I’m cultivating peace is by being more present in my relationships. This year, I’m attempting to show up fully in my interactions. I’m trying to put my phone down during conversations, really listening without planning what I’ll say next, and cherishing the time I get to spend with the people I love.
Peace doesn’t mean life will be stress free, as you know. Life is unpredictable, and December is no exception. For me, being intentionally peaceful means responding to stress with grace rather than frustration. It means being kind to myself when things don’t go as planned and approaching difficulties with curiosity rather than resistance.
As the days grow shorter and the year winds down, I’m finding comfort in the idea that peace isn’t something I have to search for. It’s something I can create. By choosing to be intentionally peaceful, I’m not just enriching my experience of December—I’m also bringing a sense of calm to others. I’ve realised peace is a gift I can give myself and the world.
Some specific things I’m doing this December to be intentionally peaceful
- Spending more time writing. I enjoy our Wednesday Writing online. So nice to get more connected to people I know and a new person as well through our writing together.
- Attending an online memoir writing course by Ochre Sky Workshops spread of 3 weekends. The first weekend is done. It was a wonderful experience. It has helped me dig deeper to write and heal. I’m looking forward to the next three sessions.
- Reading and reflecting on Emily P Freeman’s ‘How To Walk Into A Room‘.
- Following Hannah Brencher’s Advent Reflections.
- José and I are doing 3 and 4 from the list together, mostly in a nearby park. So we get to reflect, walk about and enjoy fresh air and watch children and dogs!
- Reflecting on 2024 and all its experiences and lessons.
- Thinking about my word of the year for 2025, although I kind of feel I’ve found it already.
So this December, I’m letting go of the rush. I’m choosing to slow down, to be mindful, and to let peace guide me through the season. I know it won’t always be easy, but I’m committed to the journey. Because when I pause, breathe, and connect, I can feel it: peace is already here, waiting for me to embrace it.
What are you plans for December?
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I really enjoy reading how you plan out various aspects of your word of the year — the things you want to experience, explore and enjoy. Something for me to learn, for sure!
Thanks, Shinjini. I’m not sure if I want to continue to share this in 2025. 🙂
I connect to every word you’ve written today, Corinne! “…seeking guidance from Nature” is the most appropriate thing to do for anyone! The words ‘pause’ and ‘rest’ have a very deep meaning especially because you observed them in Nature. Shubhendu Sharma an environmentalist says, when the plants shed their leaves, stop flowering, stop growing leaves and look dry and barren they are actually growing their roots vigorously under the ground. Growth happens at a deeper level invisible to the world when we pause or rest. I simply loved your discovery of the power of stillness in the simple things you do.
Thank you for sharing this, Madhavi. So relevant. I’ve been looking at the quiet ways I’ve grown and noting them down, rather than focusing on the ‘big changes’.
Peace. Something we all look for out there, when we actually have it within ourselves. All we need to do is reach in. It’s something I have been reading and learning about, and what a coincidence that I found the topic on your blog! Thank you. Corinne, for this post! It felt wonderful reading it and visiting your blog after so long. I hope you have a peaceful December and also a peaceful 2025 <3
Ah! I love when coincidences like this happen. Would like to hear more about your ideas on peace too.
Wishing you a lovely, peaceful December and new year too, Shilpa.
Hi Corinne – it sounds like a perfectly lovely way to roll through December. I’m finding that I’m leaning into peace, and stillness, and creating margin in my life more and more as the years go by. I used to be so proud of all that I could accomplish – now I see that as necessary for the first half of life, but able to be discarded in the second half. I love this quieter, more gentle way of doing life and have applied it to the Christmas season too.
Have a lovely quiet Christmas – and I’ll look forward to following your journey in 2025.
Hi Leanne – It could be because of depleted energies, but I’d like to think that we’re making wise choices in this half of our lives. Focusing on what’s important to us and our significant others and using our energy judiciously.
See you around in January. ♥