How to Stay Present During the Holidays (or any time)

As I grow older, I realize more how much goes into the holidays that I didn’t realize as a kid. We spend so much money. We stress over what to give who and which family to go visit. We make plans. We reschedule said plans. We realize that our partner made plans at the same time as our plans so we do two things in one night and realize we weren’t fully present at either one.

Why do we do this? What happened to all the magic that the holidays held when we were kids?

I think we just grew up.

Is there still magic in this season? Yes, I believe there is. Because I believe there is magic in every season, and in every day. We just have to sit still and be quiet enough to notice it.

I’m writing this down for both of us. Because I by no means have it all figured out. I just happen to be writing this from a tiny desk in a small room on a one-day silent retreat. This is all fresh on my mind because there’s no noise to drown it out.

How to stay present during the holidays (or any time)

-       Find stillness.

- Wake up early and read in bed.

-       Light a candle and invite your family into a moment of silence.

-       Stay up late sitting by the Christmas tree.

-       Take a walk. Notice the sky, the grass, the leaves, the lights.

-       Find a token. Look for a small rock and keep it in your pocket. Hold it or rub it throughout the day to remind you of the earth we inhabit.

-       Meditate. Sit comfortably. Or lie down. Notice your breath. Silently say “I’m breathing in” then, “I’m breathing out.” If your mind wanders, notice that, and come back to your breath. Do this for 5 breaths. Or 5 minutes. Or longer.

-       Do a sun salutation. No one says you have to go to a studio and pay for a 60-minute class to “do” yoga. Make it up in your living room, on your rug, or at the airport. Just move.

-       Write. Take out a notebook or journal and write 1 page, or 3 pages, of anything.

-       Take a moment to notice your body. Close your eyes. Feel where your body is contacting the ground, the chair, the air. Notice the angles of your joints. Notice areas of tightness, discomfort, ease. No need to change anything: just notice. 

There are a few things we have with us all the time: our body, our breath, our mind. We can use these things to touch down, to remember where we are, who we are, what we are. It’s so easy, yet sometimes so complex.

But it’s nothing short of magic. ✨

Your turn: how do YOU stay present during the holidays? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear more ideas, and we could always use more tools for this magic!