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Jin Kim's Diaries | Jin’s December 2025
- knowledgepostcollege
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
December always feels like a deep exhale - the kind that deserves its own diary entry. A month filled with cozy moments, packed calendars, and little celebrations that somehow all blur together. Between the holiday gatherings, festive drinks, game nights, and time spent with the people who make life feel full, December wrapped 2025 up in the softest way. As excited as I am to step into a new year with fresh intentions and energy, there’s something bittersweet about saying goodbye to a year that held so many lessons, memories, and moments of growth. This month felt like both a celebration and a quiet pause - a reminder to reflect, reset, and carry gratitude into what’s next.
Lifestyle: Travel & Relationships
Korea
The month started with me wrapping up my trip to Korea, and I made it a point to spend that last week soaking up as much quality time with my family as possible. One of my favorite moments was going to the water park and spa with my grandparents, which is something so simple, yet incredibly special. It instantly brought me back to childhood summers spent at water parks, even if it wasn’t the same one. That day ended up being even more memorable when we unexpectedly saw the first snow of the season, which felt a little magical in its own way. What should’ve been a quick 20-minute drive turned into a chaotic four-hour car ride because of the insane traffic, making it a night we’ll definitely never forget. Despite the chaos, the trip as a whole was exactly what I needed... slow, grounding, and deeply comforting. After the nonstop pace of the past few months, Korea felt like a true reset, and it left me already counting down the days until I get to return.
Christmas
Christmas this year felt extra special in the quietest way. I got to spend quality time with my brother and dad and honestly, I don’t think we’ve spent that much time together all year. We don’t usually go all out for Christmas, but being able to simply be together, relax, and eat good food ended up being exactly what I needed. No pressure, no big plans and just presence.
I also got to fill my cup in a different way by celebrating Christmas with my boyfriend. We ordered Chinese food and went to watch a movie together, which felt both festive and low-key in the best way. Sometimes the simplest traditions end up meaning the most.
On top of that, December was full of Friendsmas moments. I had our annual Christmas gift exchange with the girlies, complete with sushi, a cozy movie night, and my first time ever watching Bridget Jones’s Diary (long overdue, I know). I also went to another Friendsmas that was potluck-style, where you earned points based on the dish you brought and could use those points in a mini auction for gifts. It was chaotic, competitive, and so fun and I somehow walked away with an Alo gift card, which honestly felt like a win.
Jin's Cafe
The holiday festivities didn’t stop there because I also hosted a little Christmas celebration of my own with a Jin’s Cafe day. I put together a special holiday menu and wanted the whole day to feel festive, cozy, and low-pressure. Along with the cafe vibes, we did a White Elephant gift exchange, but with a twist. Instead of buying something new, everyone brought a regift: something from their home they didn’t use or need anymore. It felt like the perfect way to keep things fun without adding to the chaos or stress that the holidays can sometimes bring.
The whole day ended up being such a joy. There was good food, lots of laughs, and that comforting feeling of being surrounded by people I love in a space that felt intentional and warm. Hosting always fills my cup, and this one felt especially meaningful and a reminder that celebrating doesn’t have to be extravagant to be special.
Work
Work-wise, things haven’t been too bad lately, but there’s still been a bit of chaos with all the restructuring and lack of clarity around roles. I’m hoping the new year brings more definition and stability. That said, this month was genuinely so much fun because of the people I get to work with.
The brand girlies really showed up this December. We did a cookie exchange and Secret Santa, and Madison hosted us for dinner with a full-on spring rolls night, which was such a highlight. The gift I received felt so me, and there’s something really special about realizing someone truly knows you, it never gets old.
The fun didn’t stop there because we also did our annual holiday Disney trip, which felt extra meaningful since we went around this time last year too. It was such a reminder of how our friendship continues to grow and evolve. On top of that, our official work holiday party also ended up being at Disneyland… so yes, I went to Disney twice this month. No complaints.
For the work holiday party, I got to bring a plus-one, so I brought my boyfriend. We started the day with a special brunch and photos before heading into the park, and it was the perfect mix of bonding with coworkers and their partners, then breaking off later to do our own thing, riding all the rides we wanted and eating exactly what we were craving. It made the day even more special because it was my boyfriend’s first time at Disneyland, which is wild considering we both grew up so close by. Getting to experience that magic with him made the whole day feel even more memorable.
New Years
New Year’s Eve was definitely a night to remember. The plans didn’t go exactly as expected, and there was some low-key, unexpected drama with things going back and forth. While it was stressful in the moment, I actually appreciated how our friend group was able to talk things out and communicate honestly. It felt like a small but meaningful reminder of how much we’ve grown - not just as friends, but as better communicators.
The night took a softer turn when Mish baked us a cake, and we all wrote down our biggest accomplishment from 2025 to celebrate together. It was such a simple yet wholesome way to reflect on the year and close it out with gratitude and love.
Of course, the chaos wasn’t over. We tried to head to a house party only to realize the street was completely blocked because of the Pasadena parade, which turned into a 15–20 minute walk through pouring rain. Between rushing around, trying to figure out rides, desperately needing to pee, and laughing through the misery, it was equal parts unfun and hilarious in hindsight. The night ended on a more serious note when one of our friends later got into a car accident because of how bad the rain was - thankfully, no one was hurt. It was a sobering reminder of how grateful I was that we all made it home safely, and that even the most chaotic nights can turn into memories you look back on with appreciation.
Lows & Lessons:
This month, I was tired - like, deeply tired. Between late nights, packed schedules, and the constant go-go-go of the season, my sleep definitely took a hit. Sleeping late slowly turned into a habit, and I could feel how it affected my energy, mood, and motivation. It was a good reminder that even during joyful seasons, rest still needs to be a priority and that bad habits form quietly when you’re not paying attention.
Saying goodbye to 2025 also gave me space to reflect on the year as a whole. One of my favorite ways I tracked the year was through my 2025 bingo card - a fun but surprisingly grounding way to visualize growth. Some squares were lighthearted, like trying new hobbies (pottery, anyone?), while others were more intentional, like hitting financial goals, building better habits, working toward fitness milestones (hello, splits), and celebrating personal wins like being part of a wedding party. Seeing those boxes filled in made me realize how much progress can happen even when life feels chaotic.
As I head into the new year, I’m excited to create a new bingo card for 2026 - not as pressure, but as a reminder to stay curious, intentional, and kind to myself. If 2025 taught me anything, it’s that growth doesn’t always look loud or perfect - sometimes it just looks like showing up and trying.
Songs on Repeat:
Everyday - Troy, Gabriella, DisneyCHANEL - TylaSPAGHETTI - LE SSERAFIM, j-hopeMy Pick of the Month: Merry Kiss Me
My favorite moment of the month was going to Merry Kiss Me at Dana Point with my boyfriend. What started as a fun holiday outing has now turned into a yearly tradition, and this year marked our third time going together. There’s something so special about having a tradition you can look forward to every year - one that feels familiar but still exciting.
Between the lights, the festive atmosphere, and just being together, it’s become one of those moments that makes the season feel complete. It’s simple, joyful, and full of love and honestly, it’s one of my favorite ways to close out the year and soak in the holiday magic.
As December comes to a close, I’m walking into the new year feeling full - full of memories, lessons, laughter, and love. This month was a reminder that even in the chaos, there’s so much beauty in slowing down, showing up for the people you love, and creating moments that feel meaningful. Saying goodbye to 2025 feels bittersweet, but I’m grateful for everything it taught me and the ways it helped shape who I am now.
I’m stepping into 2026 with excitement, curiosity, and a gentler sense of intention - ready for new experiences, continued growth, and whatever surprises the year has in store. Here’s to new chapters, deeper connections, and trusting that what’s meant for me will find me in time. And with that, this entry of Jin Kim’s Diaries comes to a close - full hearts, late nights, a little chaos, and plenty to be grateful for. Here’s to stepping into 2026 with hope, humor, and an open heart.
Talk to you next year,
-- Jin
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