Slowing Down for Christmas (Without the Pressure)
December seems to arrive faster every year.
One minute it’s November, the next minute it’s suddenly Christmas, and we’re expected to be organised, generous, joyful, and calm… all at once.
When Christmas Comes Too Fast
If I’m honest, my own pattern for years has been leaving things to the last minute.
Rushing. Buying in panic mode. Spending more than I planned because I’m tired and overwhelmed.
And then January arrives…
With a tight chest. A sense of regret. And that heavy, doomy feeling of debt and catching up.
I share this not as a failure, but as something I’ve become more aware of over time.
Awareness is the beginning of choice. And I know I’m not alone in this.
What the Body Feels
Our bodies feel the speed of Christmas long before we consciously notice it.
Tight shoulders. Shallow breathing. Poor sleep. That constant sense of being “on”.
As a Bowen Therapist, I see this every year, nervous systems pushed past their comfort zone by pressure, expectations, and rushing. The body doesn’t respond well to urgency. It responds to safety.
Slowing Down Is Not Failing
Slowing down doesn’t mean you don’t care. It doesn’t mean you’re doing Christmas wrong.
It means you’re giving yourself a chance to do it differently.
When we slow down:
The nervous system can settle
Muscles soften instead of brace
We think more clearly
We make calmer choices, including with money
Pressure often leads to impulse. Calm creates a little more room for intention.
A Different Way This Year
Slowing down doesn’t require perfection.
It can look like:
Pausing before buying
Leaving space in your calendar
Accepting that “enough” really is enough
Letting Christmas be simpler than you imagined
Sometimes slowing down now saves a lot of stress later, especially in January.
Supporting Your Body
Bowen Therapy offers gentle support for tired, overloaded nervous systems. December is often when people realise just how much they’ve been carrying.
Rest isn’t something to earn once Christmas is over. It’s something your body needs along the way.
A Gentle Reminder
Christmas comes quickly. January always follows.
But there’s still time. Time to pause. Time to choose a softer pace.
You don’t need to fix everything this year. Even one small moment of slowing down can make a difference.
Your body, and your future self will thank you for choosing less rush, less pressure, and a little more care.
With Love,
Flo x