A Different Kind of December: Finishing the Year Gently

By Rachel Schemmerling| Timeless Living

December has always carried a certain kind of magic. The soft glow of candlelight, the scent of winter greens, the crackle of wrapping paper, the familiar songs that seem to transport us back in time—it’s a month rich in nostalgia and sensory warmth.

But it also has a reputation for chaos. The overspending, the over-scheduling, the pressure to create a picture-perfect holiday… many of us arrive at January exhausted, overextended, and wondering why we spent the final weeks of the year pushing ourselves beyond our limits.

This year, I’m choosing to do things differently.
And maybe you’re craving that shift too.

A Simpler Season, on Purpose

I’m leaning into a slower, more intentional December—a season with less noise and more nourishment. A season where presence matters more than perfection, and where joy is found in the quieter spaces rather than the frenzy.

One thing that’s guiding me is what Mel Robbins calls The Let Them Theory.
It’s simple and remarkably freeing:

Let people be who they are.
Let situations unfold without forcing.
Let expectations go.
Let others think or act how they choose—because you’re choosing peace.

It’s not about withdrawing; it’s about releasing the weight of trying to control what was never yours to manage. In a season where emotions, family dynamics, and expectations can run high, letting them can be the difference between burnout and calm.

Returning to Ritual

With all the noise stripped back, ritual becomes essential.

Not big, elaborate rituals—just small anchors woven into your days:

• A quiet cup of tea before the house wakes
• Lighting a candle at dusk to honor the shortening days
• A daily walk in the cold air
• A five-minute gratitude list
• A slow skincare routine or warm bath
• A mindful moment before the holiday gatherings

These small practices help us stay rooted. They allow us to move through December with intention instead of urgency.

Nourish Your Senses

One of my guiding principles—both in wellness and design—is sensory nourishment.

Our senses are portals of calm. They slow us down, ground us, and bring us back into our bodies.

This December, consider how you can nurture your senses daily:

Sight:

Soft lighting, twinkle lights, gentle candle glow. Clear the clutter so your eyes can rest. Bring in greenery—cedar, pine, eucalyptus—so nature has a seat in your home.

Scent:

Diffuse essential oils like pine, clove, or sweet orange. Simmer citrus and cinnamon on the stove. Let the scent of baking or herbal tea fill your space.

Sound:

Play instrumental holiday music, nature sounds, or a meaningful playlist that soothes rather than stimulates. Let silence be part of your day, too.

Touch:

Wrap yourself in soft blankets, wear natural fibers, sleep on clean, crisp sheets. Touch can be deeply healing in winter.

Taste:

Eat warm, grounding foods. Slow-cook dinners. Sip herbal tea. Let meals be unhurried, nourishing, and not rushed between errands.

When you nurture your senses, you nurture your nervous system—and the entire holiday season feels different.

Practice Present-Moment Living

December is a month packed with both memory and anticipation. But the quiet magic often lives right here, right now:

The way the light hits the kitchen counter at 4 pm.
The laughter at a dinner table.
The softness of bedtime.
The gratitude that bubbles up when you pause long enough to feel it.

Slow down enough to notice the moments you’re usually too busy to see.

Meaningful Gifts Only

Let’s be honest—the pressure to buy more, more, more is relentless this time of year. But there is no reason to go broke for a society that equates value with volume.

Give small, meaningful gifts.
Write notes.
Create moments.
Support local makers.
Offer experiences, not clutter.
Give warmth, not overwhelm.

A beautiful candle, a local artisan piece, a small plant, a handwritten letter, a favorite tea, an afternoon together—these are the gifts that linger.

Finish the Year Gently

As the year draws to a close, I invite you to resist the urge to sprint to the finish line. Instead, glide softly. Move intentionally. Keep your nervous system at the center.

Slow your home.
Slow your days.
Slow your breath.

Let December be a month of nourishment, not depletion. Let it be soft. Let it be grounded. Let it be exactly what you need.

This is your invitation to a different kind of holiday season—one rooted in presence, beauty, and wellness.

And if you’re craving more of this—more connection, more depth, more intentional living—I’d love for you to join me as a Founding Member of The Ginger Jar Society. It’s the heart of everything I’m creating for women who want to live more beautifully, gently, and well.

Here’s to a December that feels like a warm exhale.
Here’s to finishing the year gently.