The Tender Side of December: Holding Both Joy and Difficulty
December is often portrayed as joyful, sparkly and bright — full of laughter, togetherness and celebration. But for many people, this month also carries a quieter emotional weight.
Maybe it’s grief that feels closer at this time of year.
Maybe it’s loneliness.
Maybe it’s overwhelm, exhaustion, or pressure to get everything “right”.
Maybe it’s memories — of people, places, or times — that feel heavier in December.
And sometimes, it’s the way very small things suddenly feel much bigger.
A comment said in passing.
A different expectation.
A moment of misunderstanding.
In the intensity of December — with tiredness, deadlines, family dynamics and heightened emotions — small moments can quickly turn into big arguments. What might usually be brushed off can suddenly feel loaded, personal, or deeply hurtful.
This doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It means you’re human, and you’re navigating a season that asks a lot of us.
When Small Things Feel Big
When emotions are already close to the surface, small disagreements can become symbols of much more — feeling unseen, unappreciated, unheard, or overwhelmed. December can magnify these feelings because there’s often little space to pause and reset.
In these moments, wonder isn’t about pretending everything is fine or forcing gratitude. Instead, wonder can be a way of gently grounding ourselves when things feel tense or fragile.
Finding Wonder in the Middle of Difficulty
Wonder, in this context, is quiet and subtle. It doesn’t fix the argument or erase the hurt, but it can help soften the edges — giving us a moment of breathing space.
A gentle moment of wonder might be:
Noticing a robin land nearby
Feeling warmth on your skin from a mug or the winter sun
Hearing a song that unexpectedly connects you to a comforting memory
Watching the light shift in the late afternoon
Stepping outside and noticing the cold air in your lungs
These moments don’t demand anything of us. They simply invite us back into the present moment — back into our bodies, our senses, and ourselves.
When we allow these small moments in, we may find we respond a little more gently — to ourselves first, and then to others.
Holding Both Joy and Pain
December doesn’t have to be one thing or the other. You are allowed to enjoy parts of it and struggle with others. You can experience wonder and still feel hurt. You can love someone deeply and still feel frustrated with them. You can want closeness and also need space.
If you’re finding this month tender, please know there is no “right” way to feel.
You’re allowed to hold:
Both joy and sadness
Both hope and tiredness
Both wonder and pain
Let December be what it is for you — not what you think it should be.
And if small things have felt big lately, perhaps wonder can offer a pause — not to minimise what matters, but to help you meet it with a little more steadiness and compassion.
Journal Prompt
“What small moment of wonder has comforted me recently, even in the middle of something difficult?”
