As we roll toward 2026, and continue managing all the obligations that come not only with the holiday season but with life in general, consider taking a few quiet minutes to sit, breathe, and let your system settle. Studies show that even five minutes of stillness can help you feel more connected, present, and steady...even if you have to sneak into the bathroom to do it like my Mom.
When my sister, brother, and I were all under twelve, my mom, who is now almost 93, was a Kindergarten teacher. Every afternoon, she would come home, put down her things, give us a quick hug and hello, and then disappear into the bathroom for what, to my eight-year-old mind, felt like a very long time. I always wondered what she was doing in there.
We were very close, so I was always so happy when she came home. I would sit outside the door, waiting for the water to stop running, which usually signaled she would be coming out soon. I was anxious to share about my day and hear about hers.
All these years later, I now realize what she was doing.
After spending the day in a classroom full of rambunctious five-year-olds, she was giving herself a moment to settle, breathe, and reset before stepping into her second full-time job… her home life. She was taking a bit of quiet time so she could be present and kind for us.
Now I see that my own quiet-time ritual was modeled for me. I watched my Mom prioritize herself in small, meaningful ways. Even though she was completely dedicated to her three children, a husband, a full-time job, an aging mother-in-law who needed care, and at one point she was also studying after work at night to earn her Master’s degree, she still understood something I now know to be true:
Taking a bit of time for ourselves is not selfish. It helps us stay connected to the most grounded, present, kind version of ourselves. And, personal opinion, but I feel like the world could use more of that.
Adapt Your Quiet-Time Ritual to Your Life
Creating a quiet-time practice doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn't have to take a long time. Be realistic. If your schedule is packed and hectic, start small. Just sitting quietly for even one minute of stillness before you begin your day or after you turn off your computer, or a few minutes in a closet or bathroom if that's what it takes, can make a difference. Small moments count. They add up.
Looking to build a daily stillness practice in the New Year but don't know how to start? The Quiet Time Box includes everything I use in my own ritual and offers tools that can help you create your own simple, grounding routine that helps bring a bit more calm to your day. Check it out here.
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