December is the most emotional this during this journey, heavily determined by the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

I spoke of the fall gauntlet, which offers a brief refrain from the busyness before the holiday season begins. Being a retail shop owner, it’s an hurried and busy time, trying to keep the shop open as much as possible, while slinging orders both online and in-store. Layer on top of that holiday festivities and obligations. Truly, it’s Christmas day that marks the end of a busy summer, busy fall gauntlet, and a busy holiday season.

Suddenly, I have a day off, where I feel I can finally process the emotional weight of this sunrise journey. One quiet week, before another YOTS begins, is simply not enough time. There’s a 23-hour gap between a year of sunrises ending, and the decision to do it all over again.

Aside from the emotional journey, December builds excitement, and just as I feel I’m winding down, I get reinvigorated all over again. Snow on the beach. Sea smoke. Blizzards. And the beginning of ice formations. Oh yeah, I also get to sleep in past 8a.m. if I choose.

The end is the beginning is the end.

“December is the toughest month of the year. Others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, October, August, and February.” ― Mark Twain