NicoleEvery single year, I used to dread the Christmas holidays. The holidays would sweep in with their endless events, gift shopping, and never-ending to-do lists. My writing routine? Out the window! My creative energy? Gone. By the time January rolled around, I felt completely disconnected from my work — and unsure how to start again.
But then I learned something that changed everything: December doesn’t have to disrupt your writing. You can completely turn around your holiday experience with a mindset shift.
Because the truth is, the holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with your creativity — not through hustle, deadlines, word counts, and discipline (these might work at other times of the year). But through intentional reflection, gentle habits, and a fresh perspective on what it means to be a writer during this busy season.
Here’s how to shift your mindset and make the most of this December, based on my experience of coaching hundreds of writers through this time of year (and learning to deal with my own anxiety around Christmas).
Reframe the Holidays: From Disruption of Your Writing to Opportunity
Instead of output, focus on input.
Use this time to reflect, refuel, and reconnect with the reasons you write in the first place. Let go of the idea that writing is only valuable when it’s productive, and embrace the slower, quieter forms of creativity that December invites. An intentional slowing down to allow yourself to start the next year easier, and with calm.
When you reframe the holidays this way, they stop being a disruption and become a vital part of your writing life — a season for nurturing your creativity and preparing for a fresh start in the new year.
Here are three steps to help you do just that.
Step 1: Reflect on Your Writing Year
Reflection is one of the most powerful tools a writer has. By taking time to review your year, you not only celebrate your progress — you also uncover insights that can guide your next steps.
Take 30 minutes to ask yourself:
- What worked well in my writing this year?
- What challenges did I face, and what did I learn from them?
- What do I want to carry forward into the new year to become my Future Self (a published, joyful writer)?
One writer I worked with last December discovered that her most creative periods came when she allowed herself to write imperfect first drafts. That reflection helped her release the pressure to get everything right on the first try — and she ended up finishing her book the following spring.
Another writer realised she really had to clear out her office (once and for all), ideally on Dec 27 when all Christmas gifts and Amazon boxes were removed from under her desk and around the room.
If you’re not sure where to start your reflection for your own habits and achievements, my Writing Year in Review Reflection Journal is a simple, step-by-step guide to help you reflect with clarity and intention.
Step 2: Stay Lightly Connected to Your Writing
During the holidays, it’s easy to think you need long, focused writing sessions to stay “productive.” But the truth is, even small acts of creativity can keep you connected.
Try these low-pressure activities:
- Make lists. Brainstorm character traits, story ideas, arguments, or even future goals.
- Journal about holiday moments. The chaos of December often sparks unexpected inspiration. Something going wrong triggers a new idea.
- Draft casually. Write letters to your project, your characters, your Future Self, or daydream about your next scene.
One of my clients found that making random lists on napkins during a busy holiday season helped her generate so many ideas that she started the new year with excitement — and a stack of creative material to work from.
Another writer wrote 3 letters: one to her past self (to say thank you), one to her writing mentor who had passed away (she wrote it anyways!), and one pretending to be her Future Self 12 months from now, giving her tips and encouragement.
Staying lightly connected with your writing — instead of writing 1000 words on your project itself — allows you to maintain momentum without the stress of “keeping up.”
Step 3: Make Rest and Inspiration Part of Your Holiday Plan
Rest isn’t a distraction from writing — it’s an essential part of the process. When you allow yourself to recharge, you create space for new ideas to emerge.
This holiday season, plan intentional moments of rest and inspiration:
- Read a book purely for pleasure. It does not have anything to do with your writing project at all! (My to-go-go author is Elizabeth Strout, I always feel “at home” with her.)
- Observe holiday gatherings as a “collector” of stories and characters. Your in-laws are annoying? Make a mental note (“that’s all going to go into my book…”).
- Take walks to let your thoughts wander and ideas flow naturally. Even if it rains (like here in England). Even if your fingers freeze off — or you live in a time zone where the sun burns down on your face!
One writer I coached decided to treat holiday parties as “field research.” By observing conversations and jotting down notes, she ended up with pages of material that later found their way into her novel.
When you embrace rest, you’re not stepping away from writing — you’re nurturing the creative energy you’ll bring into the new year. That’s a mindsetshift away from willpower and discipline, towards understanding how creativity actually works!
The Big Picture
The holidays don’t have to derail your writing. By reflecting on your progress, staying lightly connected, and embracing rest, you can turn December into a season of creative renewal.
I’m partly writing this article for myself — because I’m ambitious and thrive on routines and habits that I hate to interrupt.
But Ive learned that this approach isn’t just about surviving the holidays — it’s about creating a writing life that feels sustainable, joyful, and aligned with your goals.
If you’d like extra support, my Writing Year in Review Reflection Journal is here to guide you.
👉 Get your copy here at 37% off
Wishing you a joyful, creative holiday season!
