Balance Solitude and Connection to Create Meaningful Holiday Moments

Happy Holidays! Welcome to MindfulMornings.

Before we get into this week’s newsletter we have a little bit of housekeeping.

For those who celebrate the occasion, we wish you a very Merry Christmas🎄. We’ll be spending time with family and friends; we hope you get to enjoy the holiday with loved ones.

We won’t be sending out the mid-week motivation newsletter on Wednesday, the 25th, or Wednesday, the 1st. However, keep an eye out for our usual Sunday newsletter on the 29th and 5th! Mid-week motivation will restart on the 8th.

In today’s email, you’ll learn about:

• Making Space for Yourself to Better Connect These Holidays

• Being Truly Present When Connecting

Here are 2 quotes, 2 tips, and 1 question to help you build healthy habits this week…

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2 Quotes

1. “The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

2. "Cell phones bring you closer to the person far from you, but take you away from the ones sitting next to you." – Unknown

2 Tips

1) Make Space for Yourself to Better Connect These Holidays

Here’s why:

Being around loved ones during the holidays brings joy, but it can also drain our energy. Taking quiet moments for yourself isn't selfish—it's essential for your well-being and helps you show up more fully for others. By spending time alone, you can:

• Recharge your emotional batteries

• Clear your mind

• Build stronger connections when you're with others

• Find more joy in social gatherings

Here are some tips on finding solitude this holiday season:

1. Take a Short Phone-Free Walk
   Step outside and leave your phone at home (or switch it to airplane mode). Notice your breathing, the sound of your footsteps, and the world around you. Let your thoughts come and go naturally.

    

2. Create a Window Ritual
   Make your favorite hot drink and sit by a window. Watch the clouds move, notice the colors of the day, and feel the warmth of your mug. This simple practice can give you 5 minutes of calm in the storm.

    

3. Write Your Thoughts
   Before the day's activities begin, spend 5 minutes writing. What does this season mean to you? What are you grateful for? What attitude do you want to foster around loved ones?

    

4. Listen Mindfully
   Put together a playlist of music that helps you feel calm. Find a comfortable spot, close your eyes, and just listen. Let the music guide your thoughts—there's no right or wrong way to do this.

    

5. Set Clear Boundaries
   Choose specific times for solitude and treat them as important as any other appointment. Even 5 minutes can make a difference. You might find our blog post How to Set Boundaries Without Feeling Guilty helpful.

Remember spending time alone isn't about avoiding others—it's about refreshing your spirit so you can better enjoy time with people you love.

2) Be Truly Present: Disconnect to Reconnect

Why:

Our phones and devices often steal precious moments we could spend connecting with the people we love. The holiday season - especially around Christmas - gives us the perfect chance to be fully present with family and friends. When we put down our devices, we create space for deeper connections and meaningful memories.

Here are 5 simple ways to disconnect from devices and connect with people:

1. Create Device-Free Spaces
   Pick certain areas in your home where phones aren't welcome. The dining room and living room are great places to start. Let your family know about these phone-free zones so everyone can focus on being together.

    

2. Keep Devices Out of View
   Put your phone where you can't see it. Try placing it in:

   • A drawer

   • Another room

   • A special basket

   When it's out of sight, you'll be less distracted and less tempted to check it.

    

3. Turn Off Notifications
   Use your phone's "Do Not Disturb" setting during family time. This helps you stay focused on the people around you instead of getting pulled away by alerts and messages.

    

4. Make Meals Matter
   Keep phones away during mealtimes. Try this simple ‘thorns and roses’ activity to spark conversation:

   • Ask each person to share the best part of their day (rose)

   • Then share one challenge they faced (thorn)

   • Make sure everyone gets a chance to speak and be heard

      

5. Do Things Together
   Choose activities that bring people together, like:

   • Playing board games

   • Cooking a meal

   • Taking a walk

   These shared experiences help everyone stay present and connected.

Want to Learn More?
If you'd like to build better screen habits in the new year, try the Guardian's Reclaim Your Brain newsletter. It's a 5-week plan that helps you create a healthier relationship with technology.

1 Question

If you could press pause on one fleeting instant this Christmas, what would you want to savor deeply and why?

Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoy your week.

With gratitude and wishing you a happy holidays,

The team @ MindfulMornings

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