Pause. Breathe. Notice
Between holiday chaos, year-end deadlines, school breaks, and the constant onslaught of difficult news, the quiet which we may naturally seek out is snuffed out, replaced by an ever-amplified noise.
As the light begins to shift and the days grow darker, Mother Nature invites us to slow down - like REALLY slow down. The Winter Solstice, the time of the year (for us Northern Hemisphere dwellers) where we have the shortest amount of daylight and the longest amount of night marks the deepest our darkness goes before pivoting to again building up more light. Metaphorically and historically, many cultures have marked the Winter Solstice as a time of deep reflection, of slowing down, and as a beacon of hope that light can combat darkness, that Spring will come, that life returns again and again to our planet. We can be reborn and rejuvenated during this time of the year, choosing to slow down and take stock of where we are and where we wish to go.
In these modern, frenetic times, it is in fact quite easy to forget that life doesn’t have to be a constant sprint to a finish line (that frankly we never quite get to because the end point keeps changing!). Instead, this season I am urging each of you to find time to Pause, Breathe, and Notice.
Pause.
Consider stepping away from the (eternal) to-do list, the expectations (for yourself and others), the endless scrolling of social media or ingestion of the latest “breaking news”. Step out of the swirl of obligations and simply exist for a moment. Even if it’s just a single breath, even if it’s just noticing the warmth of a mug in your hands, even if it’s noticing that your socks are mismatched and that’s somehow perfectly okay—pause.
Breathe.
As you engage with a moment without the busyness, gently bring your attention to your breath. Notice the rise and fall of your chest, reminding you that you are here, alive, and present. Breathe in the quiet, the long nights, the slow shifting of the light. Bring your attention to any tension you have in your body and allow it to melt with every exhale. Let the act of breathing itself be a celebration of surviving the year so far, messy as it may have been.
Notice.
Lastly, let your mind now notice the small victories tucked into ordinary days. The resilience you summoned when no one was watching. The love you gave, the work you did, the moments of courage you didn’t think anyone would notice. Notice the lessons learned through challenges, the patience stretched thin and somehow replenished, the beauty you created in the little things. Notice yourself. Here. In this moment (and the next). On this day. In this time. You are HERE. You EXIST and have VALUE and WORTH simply because of this. You do not need to look any further for that inherent truth we all share.
Perhaps this season you could consider offering nothing more than your presence. You don’t need a perfectly decorated tree, a flawless meal, or even a calendar that “matches the season.” The turning of the year is a marker for everyone, not just those who celebrate in traditional ways. Let the darkness remind you that light is returning. Let the stillness remind you of your own strength. Let the pause remind you that you deserve to rest.
And, yes, let yourself wink or laugh at the chaos. Let yourself smirk at the impossible balancing act of the past twelve months. Because surviving this year by showing up, breathing, even if only imperfectly has been no small feat. Pause. Breathe. Notice.
And in noticing, allow yourself gratitude, reflection, and pride (with an occasional hint of take no sh*t).
This is your season. Rest. Celebrate. Reflect. And step forward into the returning light, carrying the lessons, the growth, and the victories—seen or unseen—with you.
I wish for you to be happy. I wish for you to feel healthy. I wish for you to experience peace. I wish for you to know freedom. ~ Mandy
