Between the Doing and the Being: Finding Yourself in the Quiet Moments of December

By the time we reach the middle of December, many people are running on momentum alone. So much has already happened, and yet there’s still more to come. Plans, expectations, lists, conversations, emotions. Even the enjoyable things can start to feel loud when there’s no space in between.

And yet, tucked into this busy season, there are often small quiet moments that go unnoticed. A pause before the kettle boils. A walk in the cold air. Sitting in the car for a few extra seconds before heading inside. These moments matter more than we realise.

December Isn’t Just About Pushing Through

There’s a common belief that we just need to “get through” this time of year and then rest later. But the brain doesn’t really work like that. When we stay in constant doing mode, especially while tired or emotionally stretched, the nervous system never gets the signal that it’s safe to relax.

This can show up as feeling on edge, emotionally flat, unusually tearful, or mentally exhausted even when things are technically going well. It’s not because you’re ungrateful or

not coping. It’s because your brain needs small pockets of stillness to reset.

Why Those Quiet Moments Are So Important

When we pause, even briefly, the brain has a chance to shift out of survival mode and back into the calmer, thinking part of the mind. This is where perspective lives. It’s where we process emotions, make sense of things, and reconnect with ourselves.

You don’t need long meditation sessions or hours of free time for this to happen. Sometimes it’s as simple as slowing your breath, noticing your surroundings, or giving yourself permission to stop for a moment without needing to be productive.

These pauses are not wasted time. They are how the nervous system recovers.

Letting This Season Be What It Is

December can hold many things at once. Joy and grief. Connection and loneliness. Relief and pressure. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Allowing the season to be mixed often feels kinder than trying to make it perfect.

If this year has been full, challenging, or emotionally demanding, it’s okay to acknowledge that. You don’t need to wrap everything up neatly before the year ends. Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is meet yourself where you are and take things one step at a time.

A Gentle Invitation

If you find yourself craving a little more calm, clarity, or emotional breathing space as the year draws to a close, hypnotherapy can offer that pause. It creates a quiet, supportive space to step out of the noise and reconnect with yourself, even when life feels busy around you.

I offer a free initial consultation if you’d like to talk things through, and I also have Christmas hypnotherapy vouchers available for anyone who would appreciate the gift of calm moving into the new year.

However you spend the coming days, I hope you find moments of stillness amongst the doing- because they matter more than you might think.