A Moment to Pause
THE DECEMBER CHECK-IN WE ALL NEED
By the UWM editors
December has its own kind of intensity. It’s festive and full, but it’s also layered — with expectations, memories, emotional weight, and the pressure to wrap up a year, social and celebrate, while keeping pace with everyday life. Many of us move through this month with a mix of joy and fatigue, trying to meet the moment while wishing for a little more time, space, or stillness.
If you’ve been feeling stretched thin, distracted, or more tender than usual, you’re not alone. This is a natural response to a season that has us doing and feeling so much at once. Before the month accelerates even further, this is an invitation to pause and have a simple, honest check-in with yourself — one that doesn’t require an hour, a journal, or a retreat. Just a few minutes of noticing what your nervous system is saying.
Below is a framework you can come back to anytime this month. Think of it as a small internal reset, a way to reconnect with what’s happening inside you rather than the pace happening around you.
What’s the truth of how you’re feeling today (not the polished version?)
Instead of answering out of habit (“I’m fine,” “busy but good”), try naming the subtler emotions underneath.
A few prompts to help you get there:
What feels light or easy right now?
What feels heavy or stretched or uncertain?
What’s one thing your body is telling you that your schedule hasn’t allowed you to acknowledge?
This isn’t about fixing anything, just recognizing what’s true. Awareness goes a long way to feeling heard—by ourselves.
Where is your energy going and where does it need to go?
December often pulls us outward: gatherings, work deadlines, gifting, planning, family dynamics, travel. It’s easy to give your time and attention to everything except the things that truly replenish you.
Ask yourself:
Where have I been pouring most of my energy lately?
Is that aligned with what I actually need right now?
What’s one small shift I can make to rebalance, even a little?
Sometimes that shift is as simple as leaving one evening unscheduled, stepping outside for fresh air before a social event, or choosing a quieter morning.
What can you release — just for today?
Letting go doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can look like:
Dropping one expectation
Saying no to a plan that you don’t have space for
Letting yourself be imperfect
Choosing rest over productivity for a single hour
Admitting something feels hard instead of pushing through it
Every release creates a little more room to breathe.
What’s one small thing that would support you right now?
Not the ideal version of wellness. Just something small and doable today:
A mug of something warm
Ten quiet minutes without your phone
A short walk
A softer light in your living space
Watching something comforting
Listening to music
Asking for help with a task
Going to bed a little earlier
Tiny acts of care are the foundation of resilience, especially in full seasons.
Who can you connect with to feel a little more grounded?
December can be isolating even when you’re surrounded by people. Sometimes connection is less about plans and more about small moments:
A text to someone who gets you
A short call
Sitting next to someone you love without needing conversation
Reaching out to someone who might also be having a big month
Connection doesn’t have to be large to be meaningful. Even reading this is giving yourself a moment of internal connection. We hope you carry some of these suggestions with you as you check in with yourself from time to time.
If you want more simple tools for a calmer season…
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