The missing piece for your mindful winter

Amid the swirling chaos and repetitive routines of our daily lives we all live in, exists a humble yet profound moment that often slips through the cracks of our awareness: the present moment that we shall call 3:00 PM for this example. 3 pm, a seemingly ordinary hour, perhaps hidden in the folds of afternoon activities.

What do you do at 3 pm - every day, usually, or some days?

This question is such a great reminder to peel back the layers of the mundane and unearth the significance of stillness, pause. It’s so easy to be carried away this time of the year, exhaust ourselves and stay in survival mode, trying to make it to the other side. Christmas, Hanukkah, Yaldā Night or Yule, a time marked by a chain of bustling festivity preparations, recipe collection marathons and present hunting, the call to slow down in between celebratory sprints truly becomes more poignant.

The question is not about whether you rush home from work, prep dinner for the kids, or read books at 3 pm. It really is a question about presence. Noticing 3 pm, the sound, the smells, the feeling and the taste of the-3-pm-moment. It’s a fun activity.

Will you join me in making the daily pause a habit during Advent, the Holidays and the beginning of January?

How?

Either by setting an alarm, scheduling a meeting with yourself, sticking a note on your fridge or hoping for the best… It’s not a chore after all!

Maybe it’s the perfect time for a short walk before sunset, maybe it’s a great opportunity to make yourself a tea and stay hydrated, maybe it’s time to peel a clementine and cut some shapes for your winter decorations?

The contrast between the external glamour and the internal moments of silence invites us to appreciate the subtleties of life around the time when social pressures can be endless.

p.S. Curious about why I don’t set goals in early January? Stay tuned for an email on January 1st, or find my thoughts early in the Winter Companion (50% off until December 15th). Get it here to stay calm, grounded and connected this season.

With gratitude for you and 2025,

Carmen