Rest. Reflect. Renew. A December Reset for Real Leaders
Every December, there is a familiar message in the air. Slow down. Reflect. Recharge. Look ahead. It is good advice, but it often feels disconnected from the reality many leaders live in. Year end can be messy. There are deadlines, decisions, and expectations. It is easy to believe that because others are slowing down, you should use the time to accelerate.
I lived that way for a long time. I treated the holidays like a hidden productivity window. When I finally learned to treat rest and reflection as leadership practices, everything shifted. Clarity improved. Decisions got sharper. I felt more grounded heading into January instead of depleted.
So instead of offering generic tips, here is a real look at what Rest, Reflect, Renew looks like in my world. Simple practices that keep me steady during a season that can feel both quiet and chaotic.
1. Start the day with movement that feels good
I begin with a gentle strength session or a slow ride on the bike. No intensity. Just a way to ease into the day.
Then Norman and I head out for twenty to forty-five minutes. Cold air. Fresh snow. Quiet streets. Some days the walk is smooth. Other days it is icy and slow. Either way, the fresh air clears my mind in a way nothing else does.
I’m having some fun with some new AI tools lately - hope you enjoy the new photos!
And yes, this is a way to relax for me …
2. Think before opening anything with an inbox
Before I let the world in, I sit for about half an hour and reflect on a few grounding questions.
Where am I in the week.
What actually matters today.
What worked.
What needs my energy.
What can wait.
What feels exciting to move forward.
This small pause stops me from jumping into the day reactively. Leaders often skip this part. It is also the part that brings the most clarity.
3. Check email with intention
Neuroscience tells us our brains crave certainty. When expectations are clear, the threat response quiets down. That’s why clarity isn’t just polite; it’s psychologically safe.
In SCARF terms, clarity feeds both certainty and relatedness, two factors that drive trust and motivation. Teams feel safer taking risks when they understand the parameters.
4. Build in micro breaks
Five minutes here and there to stand up, stretch, refill a tea, or give Norman a scritch. Our foster cat usually requests equal attention. These small resets help me stay grounded when the day gets busy.
Our current foster kitty
A welcome micro break is wondering what we should name her.
5. Manage holiday energy like it is a real resource
December brings more social invitations and more people time. As an introvert, I feel the drain quickly.
So I choose intentionally. I say yes to the events that matter and let the rest go.
I am also mindful of sugar. If I am going to indulge, I choose something homemade because quality matters more than quantity. It helps my energy, mood, and sleep.
I also stopped drinking this year. It has been one of the clearest boosts to my mental and emotional steadiness.
A warm beverage is almost mandatory for a good reflection session … don’t you think?
6. Prepare for the emotional load of holiday conversations
December gathers people who may not see the world the same way. Family, colleagues, social events. It can be grounding or it can be triggering.
The practices I use during the day make it easier to stay steady and open in those conversations. I can listen without absorbing and engage without reacting.
Leaders are not at their best by pushing through the holiday season. They are at their best when they create space to return to themselves.
A call to leaders
This season naturally slows things down. The days shorten. The light softens. Nature steps back so it can return strong in spring. There is wisdom in that rhythm. Leaders can take a cue from it.
Before the new year accelerates, choose the kind of rest and reflection that strengthens the work you want to do. Be intentional about what restores you. Protect the practices that give you clarity. Let go of the pressure to stay “on” when the season itself is inviting you to reset.
Your team benefits when you come back grounded. Your judgment improves when your mind is rested. Your leadership presence grows when you make space to renew.
Make room for your own reset this season.
And if you need encouragement to actually slow down, getting a dog helps with that too.
Seriously - a walk outdoors is one of THE best things you can do to reset. (of course with a dog … )