At the end of December, the season can feel less like a celebration and more like a rat race through consumer culture and obligation. When that happens, I like to suggest something radical in its simplicity: slow down. With this Studio Ghibli holiday guide, I’m sharing what I fallback to when looking for a way to make a full stop, destress and treat the break as it’s originally intended.
Christmas holds deep meaning for those who choose to observe its traditions. New Year’s Day carries its own rhythms and expectations as well. Still, neither should feel like a duty checked off a list. It helps to arrive to a family gathering, party or random get-together with the right intentions rather than rushing from one obligation to the next.
Before I do any of that, what I listen and watch is a carefully chosen playlist to put me in the right frame of mind. Musical pieces like He Mele No Lilo (from the Lilo & Stitch soundtrack) or Opus 3 in D♯ lifts my spirits, and leave me energized. And there’s also comfort to be found in Duane Eddy’s The Trembler. Its sweeping instrumentals whisks you away to a world that’s carefree and focuses on the journey ahead.
In the world of entertainment, there’s certain types of background noise I can run without the need to fully pay attention. I find certain alien conspiracy or paranormal programmes quietly engaging, not because they provoke fear, but because they create just enough distance from everyday concerns to let the mind drift.
In the world of anime, few studios nail the idea of settling down perfectly. Studio Ghibli‘s films remind us that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. There are worries and uncertainties, but their characters move forward with patience and kindness. Should the world prove to be too much, what I suggest to watch are:
My Neighbor Totoro
Hayao Miyazaki’s gentle journey into a forest world set the gold standard for mindfulness and ease. The countryside itself becomes a comfort as a family’s life is quietly unsettled by a mother’s hospital stay. Here, just what Mei and Satsuki find are forest spirits who just react. They are not faerie kind, and they simply exist as guides when asked to be.
When they help, the entire community comes together to help! On the mortal side, they are also worried, but thankfully all is well. Ultimately, what this film teaches is that it’s okay to feel. But for the local giant spirit, he simply wants to sleep, and that’s okay too.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
This coming-of-age story is warm, encouraging, and deeply human. Kiki’s struggles never feel overwhelming because they unfold on her terms. While the film borrows imagery from self-sufficiency and craft, its true lesson is gentler: it’s acceptable to step back, to lose confidence, and to rediscover yourself without needing to prove your worth.
Whisper of the Heart
Not every coming-of-age story hinges on grand self-realisation. Here, the journey drifts between soft romance and creative awakening. Shizuku’s curiosity about Seiji Amasawa leads her toward a chance encounter with a cat, then to The Baron, a refined and inspiring figure who nudges her toward storytelling. The result feels quietly magical, grounded in reflection and hope, underscored beautifully by Take Me Home, Country Roads.
Any of these films can gently lift you away from the world’s demands. I’ve learned not to treat the season as a checklist of expectations. Rest is not indulgence, it’s care, and that may be the best gift of all.
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