Peace in the Middle

Every December, I tell myself I’m going to glide through the month in a cloud of twinkle lights, gratitude, and hot cocoa bliss.

And every December, reality taps me on the shoulder and says:
“Actually… here’s 47 commitments, three unexpected detours, a mess in the living room, and a whole lot of emotion.”

Even the most joyful parts of the season can stretch us thin:
• the gatherings
• the family dynamics
• the pressure to “make it magical”
• the logistics
• the invisible mental load we carry

And that’s before we get to the things that don’t go smoothly.

If you’ve ever found yourself snapping at someone you love, tearing up over something small, or feeling the weight of obligations you didn’t mean to say yes to — you’re in good company.

December often asks more of our nervous systems than we realize.

Why December Makes Our Emotions Spill Over

Women tell me the same thing every year:

“I love this season… but I don’t love who I become in it.”

It’s not that we’re less patient, less holy, or less mature in December.
It’s that our bandwidth gets compressed:

Joy + stress
Connection + pressure
Hope + fatigue
Beauty + chaos

It’s all stacked together.

Your emotions aren’t misbehaving.
They’re signaling.

They’re showing you:
• where you’re overloaded
• where you need margin
• where you’re carrying too much emotional responsibility
• where you need rest or help
• where you’re overdue for a breath

This isn’t failure — it’s information.

A Gentle Practice for “Staying You” When You’re Tired

Here’s something simple I teach my coaching clients:

Pause → Name → Choose

When you feel your shoulders creeping up or your tone shifting:

1. Pause (2 seconds).
Interrupt the spiral before it builds.

2. Name what’s happening.
“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I’m overstimulated.”
“I’m tired.”
Naming it reduces the emotional charge.

3. Choose your next step.
“I’m going to lower my shoulders.”
“I’m going to speak slower.”
“I’m going to take 30 seconds in the hallway.”
“I’m going to soften my tone.”

Small choices compound into big peace.

You Can’t Control the Season—But You Can Influence the Space Within You

Sometimes the house is loud, the line is long, the schedule is full, and the traffic is impossible.

But peace doesn’t require perfect circumstances.
It requires intentional internal cues.

Here are a few grounding practices for busy December moments:

✔ The 4-count breath

Inhale for 4.
Hold for 4.
Exhale for 6.
Repeat twice.
(Your body will shift.)

✔ Shoulder drop + belly release

We carry stress in our posture.
Let it go.

✔ Micro-moments of silence

10 seconds while washing hands.
15 seconds in the car before walking in.
30 seconds before answering.
Small stillness creates big shifts.

✔ Lower your voice

When we speak softer, we regulate ourselves and others.

✔ Let good enough be enough

Your worth is not measured by the output of your December.

You’re Not Failing — You’re Carrying a Lot

If this month feels heavier than you expected, please hear this:

You’re doing better than you think.
You’re holding more than anyone sees.
And you’re worthy of the same gentleness you give everyone else.

Peace isn’t found by controlling everything around you.

Peace grows when you honor your limits and build little moments of quiet within them.

One Small Step for This Week

Ask yourself:

“What’s one tiny thing that would make this December feel more human?”

Let that be enough.

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Want help creating more margin and gentleness this season?
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