📝😅 Still Need to Do Day — December 29 For the things you meant to finish…and the things you absolutely avoided.
Ah yes. Still Need to Do Day—the quiet, slightly judgmental holiday that lives between “I’ll do it later” and “Wow, it’s almost the new year.” December 29 is here to gently tap you on the shoulder and whisper, “Hey… remember that thing?”
This is not a hustle holiday. This is a realistic holiday. The one that understands the laundry pile, the unanswered email, the decoration still up for no reason, and the list you swore you’d finish before Christmas. Today isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Or at least acknowledgment. 😌
📦 Friendly Affiliate Disclosure (Procrastinators Welcome)
Some links below may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Think of it as supporting my habit of buying planners in December with full confidence I’ll use them in January. 🫠
🕰️ The History & Origins (Born From Collective Avoidance)
Still Need to Do Day exists because humanity collectively refuses to finish everything on time. No single person claimed this holiday—mostly because we were all still working on other things.
It showed up naturally at the end of the year, when calendars look hopeful but lives look… unfinished. This day doesn’t shame you. It nods knowingly. It says, “We’re all behind. Pick one thing.” And honestly? That’s kind of beautiful.
🤓 7 Comfortingly Honest Fun Facts
Writing down unfinished tasks can reduce stress instantly.
Completing one small task boosts motivation more than planning ten.
End-of-year tasks feel heavier than they actually are.
The brain loves closure—even symbolic closure.
“Deferred tasks” are often emotional, not difficult.
Finishing late still counts as finishing.
Everyone has at least one thing they’ve avoided since November.
🎉 12 Gentle Ways to Celebrate Still Need to Do Day
Make a Still Need to Do list—no judgment allowed.
Choose one task to complete today. That’s it.
Set a 20-minute timer and see what happens.
Finish a task halfway counts as progress.
Toss or donate something you’ve been “meaning to deal with.”
Reply to the one email you’ve been dodging.
Put away most of the holiday décor.
Prep January basics (planner, calendar, reminders).
Pair tasks with a favorite podcast or music.
Do the annoying task first—future you will cry happy tears.
Rewrite lingering tasks for the new year if needed.
Celebrate effort, not completion. Seriously.
🍽️ The Still-Need-to-Do Dinner Menu
Low effort. High comfort. Zero pressure.
🍝 Entrée: One-Pot Pasta
How:
Cook pasta, sauce, and veggies together in one pot.
Minimal dishes = emotional win.
🥖 Side: Garlic Bread You Didn’t Make From Scratch
How:
Oven. Bread. Done.
🍹 Drinks
Cocktail: The Checklist Spritz (prosecco + aperol + soda)
Mocktail: Sparkling orange juice with cranberry splash
🍫 Dessert: Task-Finished Chocolate Squares
How:
Chocolate. Plate. Joy.
No baking. No guilt.
🏫 Classroom Activities
Elementary:
“Finish the Task” stations with small goals and rewards.
Discuss why finishing feels good—and why it’s okay when it’s hard.
Secondary:
End-of-year reflection: what’s unfinished and why?
Goal-setting exercise separating important vs optional tasks.
🧑💼 Workplace Activity
Host a Power Hour Finish-Up Block.
No meetings. No interruptions. Everyone works on lingering tasks, then logs off feeling lighter. Optional snack incentive encouraged.
🎬 Movie Pick - Julie & Julia
A reminder that unfinished projects, missed days, and imperfect progress still lead somewhere meaningful.
📺 TV Pick - Tidying Up with Marie Kondo
Because sometimes you just need permission to finally deal with the pile—and keep what sparks joy.
🔖 Hashtags
#StillNeedToDoDay #EndOfYearRealness #ProgressNotPerfection
#GentleGoals #HolidayHangover #LifeAdmin
#FinishWhatYouCan #FreshStartEnergy
#UnfinishedButTrying #AlmostThere
