December can feel like a paradox. It’s a season of dazzling lights, festive gatherings, and cozy traditions. But for many of us, it’s also packed with stress, expectations, and even sorrow. Between overflowing calendars, endless holiday prep, and the emotional baggage the season can stir up, it’s easy to feel like we’re just trying to survive the month.

I know that feeling intimately. For years, Christmas wasn’t a joyful time for me. It carried a dark shadow, one that took years to lift.

One thing that helped me through those years—and continues to be my anchor in December—is writing. Whether it’s a few minutes of journaling, silly sketches in the margins of a notebook, or a full-on vent session, putting pen to paper can feel like the deepest sigh of relief.

And sometimes, writing is most healing when you embrace the shittiness. Yes, you read that right. Let’s talk about how to use your journal to lean into the not-so-holly-jolly parts of December and why that might just be the most freeing gift you can give yourself.

I’ll be honest: there was a time when I dreaded the holiday season. The lights, the carols, the endless cheer—it all felt hollow.

Planning and hosting parties I didn’t want to attend. Juggling the absolutely endless list of things I needed to do, remember, buy, and make. As a solo mom, these things added up fast. On top of it all, I was desperately trying to make the holidays extra special for my kids while running on empty myself.

During those years, I found solace in unexpected places. One of them was The West Coast Christmas EP Collection by Said the Whale, a Canadian indie band. Its moody, reflective vibe matched my feelings perfectly, giving me permission to sit with my emotions. If you’re not feeling the holly-jolly spirit, I highly recommend giving it a listen here.

When my kids were 3 and 5, they started spending every other Christmas with their dad, leaving me alone on Christmas day. I was heartbroken at first. But as the years went by, I began to reimagine what the holiday could look like for me and us as family.

Those years—celebrating Christmas on a different day, creating new traditions, and embracing quiet moments—turned into some of the most special ones of my life. 

Now that my kids are older and creating adventures of their own, we’ve embraced new traditions together. I love watching how they carve out their own holiday joys while still making space for time with family.

And somehow, in the midst of all of this, I’ve transformed into a Hallmark Christmas movie junkie. You can often find me in December working on a Christmas puzzle, sipping holiday blend tea, and bingeing the cheesiest, snowiest, most predictable movies imaginable. Don’t judge me—they’re oddly comforting!

Writing has a magical way of meeting us where we are. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, bitter, or even quietly hopeful, a journal can be a safe space to let those feelings out. Here are a few strategies to help you use writing as a tool for navigating the season:

1. Embrace the Shittiness

Not every journal entry needs to end on a positive note. Some days, the most cathartic thing you can do is let it all out.

Prompts to try:

• What’s the most annoying thing about this holiday season?
• If I could cancel one tradition this year, it would be…
• What’s one thing I miss about holidays in the past?

Give yourself permission to rant, swear, scribble, or even write a letter to someone who isn’t listening. This isn’t about solving problems; it’s about releasing them.

2. Carve Out 10-Minute Pockets of Calm

You don’t need hours to find relief through writing. Even 10 minutes can help. Pick a time of day when you can steal a few moments—early mornings, lunch breaks, or right before bed.

Light a candle, put on calming music (or The West Coast Christmas EP), and simply let the words flow.

3. Get Playful: Low-Stakes Journaling and Art

Sometimes, the best way to lift the heaviness is to be a little silly.

Ideas to try:

• Draw the ugliest holiday sweater you can imagine.
• Write a list of “alternate” lyrics to classic carols (e.g., “12 Days of Christmas: The Stressful Version”).
• Write a short story about a chaotic holiday dinner—with a twist ending.

The goal isn’t to be good; it’s to let yourself play.

4. Shift the Focus: Gratitude, Humor, and Hope

Once you’ve ranted or gotten silly, it can feel good to balance those emotions with reflection.

Prompts to try:

• What’s one small moment of joy I’ve had this week?
• What am I looking forward to, even if it’s months away?
• If I were to write a holiday card to myself, what would it say?

December doesn’t have to be picture-perfect to be meaningful. By carving out small moments to write—whether you’re venting, doodling, or dreaming—you’re giving yourself a powerful gift: space to feel, to process, and to connect with yourself.

So grab a pen, turn on some moody holiday music (or maybe a Hallmark Christmas movie), and let the words flow. Wishing you a season that feels true to you, however that may look this year.

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 Erica Richmond, the founder of Open Sky Stories believes that words have the power to provide connection & healing. She offers a variety of writing workshops and 1:1 mentoring. Erica has published three books: Pixie and the Fox, Pixie and the Bees and The Mail Art Stories Project: Mail Art in the Time of Covid-19.

She lives in Peterborough, Canada finding adventures in everyday life.

Follow Erica on Instagram for daily writing inspiration and real-life stories.