tl;dr:
The holiday season can feel overwhelming, but embracing stillness helps you stay grounded and connected. This blog shares five ways to create moments of calm: start your day with quiet reflection, schedule "do nothing" time, practice a sensory reset, limit social media, and reflect with gratitude. Use the included checklist to easily incorporate these practices into your routine. For those curious about Human Design, your Type can offer personalized guidance to align with your natural energy during this reflective season.
5 Ways to Embrace Stillness During the Holidays
Anyone else look at the calendar this time of year and see lots of stress and energy spent? I know I am not alone here! Between the gift shopping, family gatherings, social stuff, and end-of-year scramble to meet goals deadlines, it's easy to lose yourself in the noise. But what if this December, you carved out moments of stillness—a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself?
Stillness isn’t just about slowing down. It’s about creating intentional space for reflection, grounding, and tuning into your inner wisdom. Think of it as a gift you give yourself—a way to nurture your well-being in a season that so often demands more than it gives back.
Stillness also doesn't have to be a super complicated process. Here’s how you can embrace stillness during the holiday hustle and feel more present, peaceful, and aligned... simply.
5 Ways to Add Stillness to Your Day
1. Start Your Day With Quiet
The way you begin your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. Even just 5–10 minutes of quiet reflection can work wonders. This might look like sitting with your coffee in silence, meditating, or simply watching the sunrise.
Why it works:
In those moments of stillness, you shift from reacting to the day to creating it. You build a foundation of calm, no matter how busy the hours ahead may be.
2. Schedule Time for Doing Nothing
It may sound counterintuitive, but putting "nothing" on your calendar can be a game-changer. Block off small chunks of time where you have no obligations—no errands, no calls, no chores.
How to do it:
Protect this time fiercely. Treat it like a meeting with yourself, and use it to rest, reflect, or just be.
3. Try a Sensory Reset
Our senses are constantly overstimulated, especially during the holidays. A sensory reset helps you turn the volume down on the external world and tune into the present moment.
Ideas for a reset:
- Close your eyes and take deep breaths to quiet visual distractions.
- Spend time in nature, soaking in the sounds and scents around you.
- Take a warm bath with calming essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus.
4. Limit Social Media Scrolling
Social media can pull you out of the present and into a frenzy of comparison or distraction. Set boundaries around your screen time to reclaim mental clarity.
Tips to implement this:
- Designate specific times to check your phone.
- Use apps that help you track or limit your screen time.
- Replace scrolling with something soothing, like journaling or listening to music.
5. Reflect With Gratitude
Gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to ground yourself and reconnect with what truly matters. Spend a few minutes each day reflecting on what you're thankful for—big or small.
How to start:
At the end of each day, jot down three things you’re grateful for. You’ll be amazed at how this simple practice brings calm and perspective.
Stillness Checklist
To make it easier to embrace stillness, here’s a handy checklist you can refer back to:
- Create a morning ritual that includes silence or mindfulness.
- Block off “do nothing” time on your calendar at least twice a week.
- Practice a sensory reset by unplugging from overstimulation.
- Set limits on social media to stay present.
- Write down three things you’re grateful for each night.
How Your Human Design Can Support Stillness
Your Human Design Type can provide insights into how you naturally find calm and alignment:
Generators & Manifesting Generators: Stillness can help you discern what truly lights you up. Use quiet moments to listen to your Sacral/gut response.
Projectors: Prioritize rest and reflection to avoid burnout. Stillness for you should include doing things you love, which allows your inner wisdom to shine.
Manifestors: Create space to reflect on what you want to initiate next. Your moments of stillness are fuel for bold action.
Reflectors: Daily stillness helps you tune into the subtle shifts of your environment and align with what feels right for you.
As the year winds down, remember that embracing stillness is more than just a self-care practice—it’s a way to honor your energy, reconnect with your values, and enter the new year feeling grounded and purposeful.
If you're new to Human Design and curious to learn more about yours, get your free Human Design Chart here, and book a reading with me!
Which of these stillness practices will you try first? Let me know in the comments!