Stop, Pause, Reflect: Three Steps to Recharge Before the New Year

It’s Monday, and I just started the dinner I planned to make last Tuesday. (Side note: Manicotti noodles are slippery little buggers.)

Last week, an “emergency” project came up at work, and all my best-laid plans for a relaxing holiday and quality family time flew out the window. Instead, I worked long hours with my peers, pushing through the weekend to meet a deadline. We made it — yay! But a lack of response has kept me distracted and unable to focus on much-needed time off or those last-minute holiday preparations.

The truth is, there’s always something. Another project. Another deadline. Another commitment. The cycle never stops. That’s why it’s so important to hit pause and reset before bulldozing your way into another year.

As I reflected on this whirlwind week, I realized I needed a reset. That’s where these three steps — Stop, Pause, Reflect — come in.

1. Stop

Not just slow down. Truly stop. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply, clear your mind, and acknowledge where you are in this moment. The world won’t stop spinning because you take a moment for yourself.

2. Pause

Focus on what truly matters:

• Relationships with your family and friends.
• What you need to recharge and feel whole.
• The areas of your life where you are truly irreplaceable. (hint: it’s not work)

By pausing, you can prioritize what’s most important — because everything isn’t equally urgent.

3. Reflect

This is where I struggle the most. My never-ending to-do list keeps me on autopilot, always rushing to the next thing without stopping to acknowledge how far I’ve come or the lives I’ve touched along the way.

Failing to reflect can leave us feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and like we’re never enough. It also keeps us trapped in old cycles. How many times have I spent the holidays ruminating about being in the same place after another year? That’s a defeating, isolating feeling — but here’s the thing: you’re not alone.

Take time to reflect by asking yourself:

• What’s one thing I accomplished this year that I’m proud of?
• Who’s someone I’ve impacted, and how can I celebrate that?

Time to Take My Own Advice

I’ll be honest — I’ve struggled with this blog post. That work project is still pulling at my attention, and I had to log back in to answer some last-minute questions. But here’s where I’m choosing to stop, pause, and reflect.

Dinner is ready. A fresh loaf of homemade bread — one I didn’t ruin by overproofing this time — is warm on the counter. My kids are in the next room playing games and popping in to ask if I’m done every minute or so. It’s time to take my own advice and be present.

I’ll be signing off for a couple of days to recharge, reflect, and enjoy the moments that matter.

Happy holidays to you and yours. Thank you for taking the time to show up and read my blog — it truly means the world to me.

Actionable Takeaway

Take five minutes today to stop, pause, and reflect. What are you most grateful for? What’s one way you can recharge before the new year? Share your reflections in the comments — I’d love to hear them!