Slowing Down in Uncertain Times: Breath, Balance & Presence
A moment of stillness held by nature.
Rooted, listening, allowing the breath to settle where the body feels safe.
A reminder that slowing down is not stopping, it is remembering.
This weekly reflection feels especially important right now.
There is a lot happening around us in Australia and beyond and many people are being affected, directly or indirectly. When events unfold quickly and constantly, our nervous system can shift into fight-or-flight mode. We may notice stronger reactions, a quicker heartbeat, racing thoughts, or a sense of being constantly on edge.
At the same time, we find ourselves in the middle of December. Christmas is approaching, the year is drawing to a close, and everything can feel like it’s moving too fast. Expectations rise, schedules fill, and the body often carries more than it has space to process.
In moments like this, a pause becomes essential.
Sometimes the most supportive thing we can do is gently step back from constant media and news, allowing the nervous system time to settle. Not from avoidance, but from care. Too much information, especially during emotionally charged times, can increase feelings of sadness, anxiety, and overwhelm.
Lately, I’ve been adjusting my own days in this way.
Moving more slowly, one breath, one task, one thought at a time. Some days feel quiet and simple; other days, a clearer vision begins to emerge, with a beautiful and gentle plan slowly taking shape ahead. I’m learning to enjoy the present moment more fully, spending unhurried time with my loved ones, welcoming a natural rush of creativity, and returning to my breath whenever I need grounding.
This slower rhythm has been a reminder that peace doesn’t come from doing more it comes from being present.
Simple practices can support us here. Returning to the breath, gentle meditation, or moments of stillness help regulate the nervous system and bring us back into the body. Even a few conscious breaths can remind us that it is safe to slow down.
With the solstice approaching, we also enter a new season a natural turning point. A quiet invitation to reflect, reset, and move forward with intention. There is no need to rush into the new year. Take your time. Plan gently. Rest when needed.
Begin by reconnecting with yourself.
When we meet ourselves with calm and care, the way we show up for others naturally shifts. From that grounded place, we can connect more deeply with our loved ones offering not just our time, but the quality of our presence, our steadiness, and our openness.
I continue to breathe with the intention of cultivating peace for myself, for those I love, and in a small way, for the world around me.
One breath at a time.
