Finding Calm in the Festive Season Chaos

As the end of the year approaches, many of us feel the familiar quickening of pace in our lives. Work deadlines tighten before year-end, school events fill the calendar, social gatherings multiply (whether we want to attend or not!), and family expectations often grow too.

For many people, this time of year comes with a whirlwind of responsibilities, expectations, and mixed emotions. In the rush to keep up with what is going on around us, choosing to pause can feel counterintuitive, however, it can be a simple strategy that allows us to navigate the season with greater steadiness and clarity.

Pausing doesn’t mean stepping away from your responsibilities; it means briefly turning your attention inward, if only for a few seconds, to check in with yourself. Amid the noise of emails, conversations, parties, and to-do lists, it’s easy to lose track of how you’re truly feeling. A pause isn’t about silence or stillness; it’s about softening the internal tension that builds when we move too quickly without noticing our own needs.

When we give ourselves a momentary pause, something inside begins to shift. There can be emotional relief, a gentle release from the pressure to hold everything together (sound familiar?!)  There can be sensory relief, a break from constant stimulation and festive busyness. And there can be relational relief, a moment of reconnection with yourself before you offer your time and energy to others (and contrary to what you may believe – offering yourself some time is not a selfish act!)

When we ignore these needs, we often slip into autopilot, reacting instead of responding. But when we honour them, our breath becomes steadier, our thoughts grow clearer, and our nervous system gradually finds its way back to balance. From that place, we return to our responsibilities with a calmer presence and a clearer sense of direction.

A pause is a doorway inward. It doesn’t require long breaks or structured meditation. Sometimes a few intentional breaths; before a meeting, in the car after a school drop-off, or just before walking into room full of relatives, is enough to ground oneself. These brief moments help reveal what your body, emotions, or thoughts have quietly been carrying. And from that awareness, clarity naturally begins to reawaken.

Take a few minutes to try this simple reflection exercise during the busy season:

1. Breath 1 – Notice:
   Inhale slowly and observe one physical sensation e.g. warmth, tension, stillness, fatigue.
2. Breath 2 – Name:
   Exhale and name one emotion present e.g. stress, excitement, overwhelm, calm.
3. Breath 3 – Clarify:
   Inhale again and gently ask, “What matters most in this moment?”
4. Breath 4 – Support:
   Exhale and ask, “What small action would support me right now?” e.g. a slower pace, stepping outside into nature, a boundary, or a moment of rest.

Choosing to pause shouldn’t be seen as a luxury during the festive season, it can become a meaningful way to stay grounded, compassionate (for both yourself and others), and clear amid all that is busy at this time of year.