Can you make space to pause this Christmas? We are entering the festive time of the year, where work may be winding down but social events, shopping for gifts and food, and what to buy and prepare are all ramping up. It can be very hectic and exhausting, especially at a time when many of us are already feeling depleted from the past twelve months.
How then can you find some peace and quiet? Christmas presents us with a great opportunity to reassess the year. Its meaning will vary for all of us. For some it will be a very happy and exciting time. For others it may be lonely or bring up triggers from Christmases past. Spending time with family that you don’t often see, can also be challenging.
But what if we took some time to Pause. Some time to recognise all that we have achieved this year. It may not feel like much has been accomplished, but growth happens through all our experiences and this is definitely something to celebrate.
Each year in January, I choose a word that I hope will embody the coming year. This year my word was ‘opportunity’ and I thought of lots of ways that I could grow my business and creative pursuits. However the Universe has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. The outcome, although not always welcome, may lead us to a better understanding of ourselves.
This is what happened to me. Unfortunately I came down with a nasty stomach bug that resulted in a post viral flare up of the irritable bowel I suffer from. This went on for months with many tests and much anxiety. However it all finally resolved and I was able to go to South Korea to visit my son.
I had launched a second edition of my book and closed my reflexology business as it felt like the right time. But all the plans I had to create never materialised, as I just didn’t have the motivation or energy. I suddenly realised that the opportunities I had been envisaging were actually for my own health, not my business.
On reflecting on the past year, I realised that I had been given the perfect opportunity to heal. I had given myself some time to pause. Time to let go of what no longer served me and to embrace the freedom I now had and the joy that I could find in my writing.
This year has been one where I have had to stop, and in finding space I have given myself the gift of self empowerment. Perhaps you too, can look back on this year and see what opportunities it has given you. Maybe you have learnt to respect and love yourself more. Maybe you have adopted stronger boundaries around how you treat yourself and others treat you.
Can you make space to pause this Christmas? It may feel like the time is not right. Everything may feel too hectic and busy. But perhaps this is the perfect time to give yourself some space. The world doesn’t end at Christmas. Everything doesn’t have to be completed now. There is no need for perfectionism.
Try and find the joy in this season. The gift of giving and receiving. Time with family and friends. Go for a short walk or time in nature. Sit and breathe. Feel the sun upon your face. Relax and step out from the busyness. It doesn’t all have to be done today.
Pause and make space for what Christmas really means. A time of stillness and reflection. Christmas isn’t something to be achieved. It is a day to experience love and joy. A day where we set aside less important things and focus on being with those we care about. By pausing, it doesn’t mean we don’t show up. It just means we approach things from a different perspective.
Remember that those special moments of Christmas, the ones we cherish so much, are often found in the little things that are easily missed if we are too busy to notice them.
So this Christmas take some time to Pause. Find the joy in those little moments and celebrate all that you have experienced this year.
I wish you a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year ahead.
With love,
Judy xxx
Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.
References: Photo by Goost Eight on Unsplash.