The Calm We Discover Between Two Deep Breaths
A Peaceful Pocket: A Gentle Pause for Busy Times
While now in the rear view mirror for 2025, Christmas is one of those beautiful annual events that always seems to carry a little extra energy. The sparkle, the gatherings, the rushing, the noise, the familiar warmth… it’s busy, it’s meaningful, and sometimes just a little chaotic. With New Year's following up that excitement, it's easy to lose perspective.
Esther (Etty) Hillesum was a Dutch writer (1914-1943) whose writings remind us that there is power in quiet presence, even in the busiest or most stressful of times:
“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.”
I want to share something gentle ... a simple practice, for creating what I call a peaceful pocket. A peaceful pocket is not a long ritual or a big commitment. It’s a brief, soft pause inside a full day.
A breath - A moment - A quiet landing. And the beautiful part?
You can return to it anytime, like during a busy holiday, stressful life event, or just a personal timeout ... it's for whenever your body needs a moment to land.
Holidays and life events tend to move quickly. We blink, and the moments blur together: preparing meals, greetings at the door, answering questions, sharing stories, passing plates, tidying up. Presence can slip away without us even realizing it.
That’s why this tiny pause matters.
It helps our body shift from “moving through the day” to “being in the moment.” Here’s how to create your peaceful pocket right now, or anytime you need it!
1. Put your feet on the floor ... and arrive
Wherever you are — in the kitchen, at the desk, at the park, or anywhere — let both feet touch the floor. Feel the support beneath you.
This single act signals to your nervous system:
- I’m here
- I can soften
- Heart rate eases
- Breathing deepens
- My whole system shifts from doing to being
2. Breathe in a square ... 3 x 3 x 3 x 3
One of my favourite practices:
- Inhale for 3 counts
- Hold for 3 counts
- Exhale for 3 counts
- Hold for 3 counts
- Repeat this three or four times
That’s it, it really is that simple!
Your body re-centres. Your thoughts quiet. Your whole system settles — gently, naturally, rhythmically.
It works beautifully because it’s simple, discreet, and quick which is ideal for all those busy, hectic, stressful times!
3. With your first bite ... five slow chews
Special meal events often hold memories, tradition, comfort, and abundance.
With your first bite, pause for five slow, intentional chews.
Not for discipline.
Not for structure.
But as a way of telling your body: I’m here. I’m tasting. I’m enjoying this.
Those first few chews help digestion prepare, but more importantly, they bring you into the moment.
4. Notice one thing ... just one
Special family times and holidays go by fast — sometimes faster than we expect.
Before the gathering slips into the next moment, choose one small thing to notice: The warmth of a candle. A smell. A melody. A familiar laugh. A soft snowfall. The glow of a light on the tree. A hand reaching for yours. One moment becomes the memory you’ll hold.
5. A quiet companion ... when needed
If your day has been full or overstimulating, a gentle herbal companion can help your body unwind. Herbal Calm or Zerenity — both support emotional steadiness and a calmer nervous system, helping the event unfold with ease.
Not because anything is wrong. Simply because big events carry a lot of stimulation, and sometimes the body appreciates a soft exhale.
6. Protect the pocket
Your peaceful pocket doesn’t have to be long. A minute. A breath. The pause before a meal, a moment alone in the hallway, a step outside for fresh air ...
It doesn’t matter how brief it is ... what matters is that you claim it.
Because big events have a way of carrying us along quickly, and this tiny pause helps your body arrive inside the moment — instead of being swept past it.
Today, and every day, may there be a gentle pocket of peace for you. A breath in the middle of the beauty, the warmth, the busyness, and the movement of each day. May your own peaceful pocket help you feel grounded, calm, and meaningful in its own quiet way.
And may you find, even if just for a moment, the gift of simply being present.