Slowing Down to Notice Joy

Anchored Insights

The week between Christmas and the new year often feels like an in-between space.

Some families are celebrating.
Some are exhausted.
Some are holding joy and grief at the same time.

During this season, I’ve been revisiting a book that has grounded me many times over the year, Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy by Matthew Kelly. Its message feels especially relevant right now.

At its heart, the book offers a simple but powerful reminder. Joy is not found in doing more, rushing faster, or creating perfect moments. Joy often shows up when we slow down enough to notice what truly matters.

A few reflections from the book that continue to stay with me:

• Joy grows when we create space for what nourishes us, not just what fills our calendars.

• Slowing down is not a failure or a lack of ambition. It is often an act of wisdom.

• Meaningful connection does not require elaborate plans. Presence is enough.

As a pediatric mental health physician and coach, I see how quickly families move into survival mode during the holidays, especially those navigating ADHD, emotional overwhelm, or executive function challenges. When everything feels urgent, our nervous systems rarely get the chance to settle.

Slowing down does not mean stress disappears.
It means we meet stress with more compassion and steadiness.

Before the year turns, you might gently ask yourself:

• Where can I soften my expectations?

• What would it look like to choose presence over productivity, even briefly?

• What brings a sense of calm or meaning, not just accomplishment?

There are no right answers. Reflection itself is the gift.

If you are craving a quiet pause before the new year, I recently shared a short webinar called Anchor Your Year. It is available to watch on your own time and is simply an invitation to reflect on what support and steadiness might look like moving forward.

As this holiday week unfolds, remember this.

The holidays do not have to be perfect to be meaningful.
Joy does not have to be loud to be real.
And slowing down is sometimes the most loving thing we can do for ourselves and our families.