It’s Okay to Slow Down: Finding Peace in the Holiday Rush
It’s Okay to Slow Down: Finding Peace in the Holiday Rush
As we officially enter the festive season, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what the "holiday rush" truly means—especially for us moms.
For years, Christmas has held a special place in my heart. I have the most beautiful, fond memories of the Christmas Holidays: lots of food, chilling, laughing about a funny movie, playing board games, and just lounging around with my big family. Those moments, as a child, were the best! I was in the happiest place on earth with no worries in sight.
But when I became a mother myself, I realized the unspoken truth behind all that magic: it took a lot of work.
The Invisible Labor of Joy
My own mom, bless her heart, had to pull off a miracle for five kids (plus my dad, who was amazing in the office but, let's just say, less skilled in the art of holiday prep). She handled the decorating, the gift-buying and wrapping, and the delicious feasts—all while making it look effortless.
When I started my own family, I inherited that invisible workload. Don't get me wrong, I truly loved every minute of preparing a happy Christmas for my son. Yet, I also inherited the stress and worry that came with trying to create that "perfect" holiday.
Now, things are different. My son is grown and lives in Seattle with relatives, so it’s just my partner, Yan, and me at home. This change has forced me to rethink something crucial: Is stress truly an invaluable, necessary part of Christmas?
If the true spirit of Christmas is Peace, Joy, and Love, why are we constantly rushing about like chickens with a mission? And what exactly is that mission?
A Simple Reflection
I am absolutely not writing this to discourage anyone from making an effort for their family's Christmas festivities! The effort is an act of love.
But I simply want to ask you a crucial question as you navigate this busy month:
Why are we rushing?
If the goal is to spread Love and Joy, we must ask ourselves if we are simultaneously spreading exhaustion and stress. Not just within our families but across the collective.
If a thousand moms are rushing about, what is the overall energy we are creating for our world?
What is the message we are sending to our children?
What are we passing down to them?
I can’t help but also wonder, are we rushing only during the holidays? Or is this a constant thing now?
💖 Your Five-Minute Pause
We don’t have to answer all those questions now. Perhaps we can reflect on them later.
With all the challenges we faced this year, I invite you to create a tiny pocket of peace and quiet for yourself before we say goodbye to 2025.
Let’s find a way to deeply experience the true meaning of the holi-day.
Here are some actionable questions to sit with this week:
What is one thing—just one—that you can let go of this year? (Maybe it’s making a third dessert from scratch, the perfectly themed gift wrap, or sending 50 physical cards.)
How can you find five minutes of pause today? (Close your eyes, take five deep breaths, and let the to-do list fade for 300 seconds.)
How can we truly experience peace and true joy with our families this Christmas? (Hint: It’s rarely about the stuff, and your peace of mind is included in the equation.)
Whether you are able to try any of these or not, it's perfectly okay. If you were able to take a few seconds to reflect, then that’s a win.
I will be slowing down this month myself, and I intend not to add more stress to what is already out there. I want to give my nervous system a break and allow my heart and body to heal. Remember that slowing down is not passive; it is an active decision. It is a revolutionary act against what we call "normal."
Sending you peace and warm hugs as you navigate your calendar.
I hope we get to share a cup of hot chocolate here in Tagaytay soon. It’s starting to get chilly now.
Have an amazing holiday season!
Love love love,
Ness
