A Slower Pace: How to Carve Out White Space in the Busiest Month of the Year
December has a way of speeding up life.
One moment you’re lighting the first candle or putting up the tree, and suddenly the month becomes a blur of events, errands, lists, noise, and expectations.
Some of it is beautiful.
Some of it is… a lot.
And while the holiday season is meant to feel meaningful and joyful, it often ends up feeling packed, pressured, and overstimulating.
If your mind feels full or your energy feels stretched, you are not doing anything wrong.
It’s simply the reality of a season that asks a lot from you.
The good news?
You don’t have to match the pace of the world around you.
You get to create pockets of white space — room to breathe, reset, and reconnect with yourself — even in the busiest month of the year.
Let’s walk through gentle ways to do that.
Why December Feels So Fast (And Why You Feel It More Than Ever)
December combines:
social expectations
school events
financial pressure
disrupted routines
emotional labor
end-of-year planning
more noise, more people, more stimulation
Your mind and nervous system are taking in more than usual, even on the days that look “normal.”
Slowing down doesn’t mean doing nothing.
It means intentionally choosing the pace that supports you instead of drains you.
What White Space Actually Means
White space isn’t:
a week off
an empty schedule
a perfectly slow life
a minimalist December
White space is simply intentional breathing room — moments where your brain isn’t processing, planning, or performing.
White space creates:
emotional clarity
a calmer nervous system
more presence
less reactivity
deeper connection
better decision making
In busy seasons, white space is not a luxury.
It’s a stabilizer.
Practical Ways to Carve Out White Space This Month
These practices are simple, realistic, and designed for your real life — not a fantasy version of December where you have endless free time.
1. Build it into your existing routines
White space doesn’t need its own time block.
It can live inside what you’re already doing.
Try:
sitting in silence for two minutes before the kids wake
leaving your phone in another room during breakfast
turning off the radio on your drive
lighting a candle while you fold laundry
taking slow breaths while standing at the sink
White space is created through intention, not time.
2. Schedule one moment of nothing each day
YES. Literally nothing.
Not multitasking.
Not catching up.
Not “just checking one thing.”
Just a moment to exist.
This could be:
staring at the tree lights
drinking something warm (hello, coffee/tea/hot toddy ☕️)
stepping outside for fresh air
taking the long way home
It sounds small, but these tiny pauses reset your entire day.
3. Release one expectation per week
December is full of invisible expectations:
doing everything
being everywhere
saying yes to everyone
making it magical
making it meaningful
not disappointing anyone
Pick one expectation each week to release.
Let it go fully.
Feel the relief in your body.
4. Protect one slow morning or evening
Pick either:
one slow morning where you don’t rush
ORone slow evening where you unwind early
Protect it like it’s a priority.
Because it is.
These anchor points shift your entire week.
5. Create boundaries around your energy, not your calendar
Instead of saying, “We’re not available,” try:
“This week is full, but we’d love to try after the holidays.”
“We’re focusing on slow evenings right now.”
“One event a day is our max.”
“We’re keeping things simple this year.”
Boundaries soften stress before it begins.
Support Your Nervous System With These Simple Practices
When your body feels safe, your mind slows down naturally.
Try:
warm showers
stretching before bed
slow breathing
gentle music
turning off overhead lights (I never even turn mine on, tbh)
stepping outside into the cool air
one minute of stillness
These practices tell your brain, “You’re okay. You can rest.”
Reflection Prompts for a Slower December
Use these weekly:
What made me feel calm this week?
Where did I feel overstimulated?
What can I say no to next week?
What brought real meaning?
Where do I want more breathing room?
Reflection is how you stay connected to yourself while the season tries to rush you.
A Next Step for Creating More White Space
If you want a guided way to slow down, reflect, and create more breathing room in your life, the Life Audit Workbook is the perfect companion for this season.
It helps you:
identify the areas of your life that feel too loud
make clear decisions about what to release
create simple, supportive routines
reset your time and energy
reconnect with what matters most
It’s peaceful, grounding, and designed to help you create a life that has space, even in the busiest times.
Slowing down is not selfish.
It’s how you stay connected, present, and emotionally steady during the season that asks the most from you.
Let this December feel like yours again.
