Mindful Moments: Your Guide to a Kinder, Gentler Season
Meet Our Mindfulness Coach & Advisor: Gretchen Haist
We’re thrilled to welcome Gretchen to the Be Kind 5 community! Gretchen brings a deep passion for mindfulness and self-compassion, helping us all discover practical ways to make kindness a daily practice. Enjoy Gretchen’s first Be Kind 5 blog:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… or is it? This time of year can hold both joy and complexity. For some, it’s a time of reunion, laughter, food, and giving. Yet for others, it can be a reminder of loss, or a time of disillusionment—leaving us feeling a little sad or let-down when the magic of the season doesn’t live up to all the hype.
Whatever your experience this holiday season, we all deserve kindness, especially the kindness we give to ourselves.
Mindfulness is a powerful tool that helps us connect with what it means to be truly kind. In its simplest form, practicing mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment without judgment.
This means acknowledging that two different—and sometimes opposing—feelings can exist at the same time: the joy of the lights and the stress of the crowds, or the happiness of a family reunion and the quiet ache of a loss. By giving ourselves permission to notice everything, we can respond to life with greater compassion.
To help you pause and anchor yourself amidst the holiday rush, here are three quick and accessible tools you can draw on:
3 Quick Tools for a Kinder Season.
The Mindful Pause (STOP): This tool uses the acronym STOP to remind you of four simple steps: Stop what you are doing, Take a slow, deep breath, Observe what's happening (inside and outside of you), and Proceed with intention. This short practice is perfect for the moment you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or a big rush of energy.
Self-Compassion Hand Hug: When you feel sad, stressed, or like you’ve made a mistake, place a hand over your heart or wrap your hands around your belly. Hold it gently. Take a few deep breaths and say to yourself (or think), "This is a moment of struggle, and I am here for myself." This simple gesture of kind touch can instantly soothe your nervous system.
Mindful Hot Chocolate: Before you drink or eat your favorite holiday treat, take three full breaths and engage your senses. Look at the color and shape. Smell the aroma. Feel the texture in your hand or mouth. Sip or chew slowly, noticing the flavor. This can help you savor a pleasant moment and intentionally slow down during the holiday rush.
This season, your kindest act may be to choose a single tool from this list and try it. You don't need to be perfect at it; you just need to be present for yourself. The gift of self-compassion is one you can give yourself every single day, no matter your age or what the calendar says.
Here’s a message from Gretchen:
“I look forward to connecting with the Be Kind 5 community and sharing more ways to make kindness a daily practice. May your holidays be filled with moments of peace, connection, and profound self-kindness.”
With gratitude,
Gretchen