Every year, the holidays sweep in with their familiar mix of wonder and whirlwind. There’s the glow of lights, the gatherings, the traditions we’ve practiced for years. And then there’s the schedule—crowded, noisy, full of good things that leave us feeling stretched thin.
For writers, this season can make creative work feel out of reach. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. In fact, this time of year naturally invites us to return to practices that anchor us—slow, steady routines that help us stay grounded amid the bustle. Writing can be one of those quiet anchors.
And here’s the good news: it doesn’t require hours. It only asks that we show up in the cracks and corners of our days.
A Small Ritual in a Full Season
There’s something about winter mornings—the stillness before the day wakes—that lends itself to reflection. A warm cup in your hands. A house not yet humming. A few minutes to breathe.
You don’t need a grand plan. Just open a notebook and let a handful of sentences settle on the page. What’s stirring in you today? What memory surfaced while you hung ornaments or wrapped a gift? What is this season reminding you to pay attention to?
Even five minutes can steady your heart. Those few minutes compound over a month into something meaningful.
Looking for the Little Pockets of Time
If mornings are out of the question, you can work with what the season gives you. The holidays come with natural pauses—short, often overlooked pockets of time.
Try these small openings:
- While cookies bake: Set a timer for the last five minutes and jot down what you’re noticing around you.
- In the car before going into a gathering: Let yourself write a quick note about the people you’re about to see, or the story you want to remember later.
- At the end of the night: Instead of scrolling social media or catching the last five minutes of the late-night news, write a paragraph about the sweetest or strangest moment of the day.
- During those rare quiet interludes when the house settles after company leaves—there’s a clarity in that hush that’s worth catching on paper.
None of your writing in these small openings of time has to be perfect. None of it has to belong to a bigger project. Sometimes the most nourishing writing is the kind that simply keeps us connected to ourselves. It may not even feel valuable in the moment. But when you return to it a year or a decade later, you’ll be glad you captured your thoughts.
Keeping Tools Close at Hand
One small tweak can make a big difference this holiday season: always keep a notebook nearby. Slip it into your bag. Leave it on the kitchen counter. Tuck it beside your favorite chair. When ideas don’t have far to travel, they tend to show up more often.
And if you’re chasing kids or traveling or otherwise juggling more than one human should, use the voice memo app on your phone. Speak your thoughts as you stir a pot or take a walk outside in the cold. Capture the spark while it’s warm.
A Season That Still Belongs to You
Yes, the holidays are busy. But they also carry a deep sense of tradition—moments we return to year after year because they remind us of who we are. Let your writing become one of those traditions. It’s not a chore. It’s not another thing to feel behind on. Rather, it’s a gentle practice that keeps you steady and present.
You don’t have to write for long. You just have to write a little. And those little pieces add up, quietly but faithfully, the way the season always has.
*Stay faithful to your writing during this busy season by downloading our 25 Reflective Holiday Writing Prompts. Focus on one prompt a day and see where it goes! BONUS: share the fruits of one of these writing prompts with us at kate@katemeadows.com, and we might feature it in an end-of-the-year blog post.
