Before the year turns: resources for the road ahead

Dec 30

Written By Community Mindfulness Project

Last week in the hustle of the holiday buzz, I took my 5 year old with me to the pharmacy to run a quick errand. I walked into the front door focused on the task at hand and in a split second, I looked back and she was out of sight.

My heart raced, my palms sweaty. Intrusive thoughts flooded in.
Strangers immediately jumped in: “What’s she wearing?” “What's her name?” I noticed the camera by the entrance and felt my body tip toward panic, “did someone grab her?” “would I need to ask them to review the tape?”

And then, a staff member waved me over.
She was in the Christmas aisle, quietly admiring the lights and ornaments. She was safe, albeit a little embarrassed by the attention. At the checkout counter, I couldn't hold back tears when the clerk shared kind words of compassion, and she offered me a comforting hug. My daughter looked worried.

Mindfulness brought me back to steadiness. I took some slow, deep breaths. I noticed the feeling of my feet on the floor. I noticed my body to sway gently until the surge passed. Science tells us that slow, steady breathing activates the vagus nerve, signaling safety to the nervous system and helping stress hormones settle.

I didn’t need to think my way out. I needed to come back into my body with kindness before I could comfort my daughter.

From the dark comes light. Sometimes that light looks like strangers helping, an unexpected hug or smile, or the quiet remembering: oh right — I have tools for this and I don't need to judge myself.

This is the practice of self-compassion. Realizing we're not alone; being kind to ourselves; remembering our strength when times are tough, and wishing for an end to the struggle - this too shall pass.

Mindfulness isn’t about staying calm all the time. It’s about noticing when we’ve been swept away by thoughts and emotions and gently returning to the present moment.

Not every day is perfect. But every day is a chance to practice. And it’s the practice in moments of calm that builds the capacity we lean on when the hardest emotions arise.

A small invitation for the final moments of 2025

As we close this year, we invite you to practice self-compassion too.

If you want a simple daily intention to carry into the new year, try one of these:

“May I meet this moment with steadiness and care.”

“Mindfulness reminds us we are whole and good, just as we are”

Resources for the holiday season (save + share)

The holidays and time before New Years Day are often when we can give ourselves time to rest, be with family, and reflect on the past. They also can amplify everything: grief, joy, loneliness, gratitude, exhaustion.

So, an offering.

Choose one (and return to these anytime):

🫁 1) For an anxious moment (2–5 minutes)
• Try: Roller coaster breathing (open one hand, fingers wide apart, inhale as you trace up one side of a finger, exhale as you trace down)
• Try: Name 5 things you can see (then 4 you can feel, 3 you can hear…)

• Listen: Meeting the Moment (Guided by Ian, 15 Minutes)

🚶 2) For any stress stored in the body (5–10 minutes)
• Try: a short walk + “feel your feet” practice
• Try: shoulder rolls + longer exhale breathing

• Listen: A Winter Walk Meditation (Guided by Asha, 15 Minutes)

💛 3) For self-compassion (3–7 minutes)
• Try: hand-on-heart breathing
• Reflect: "Appreciation for our good qualities is an expression of gratitude for all who have shaped us as individuals. Self-appreciation humbly honors those who have helped us become the person we are today.” - Kristin Neff (Self-Compassion Researcher)

• Listen: Self Compassion Meditation (Guided by Erika, 25 Minutes)

🧭 4) When the news feels heavy (under 5 minutes)
• Try: One breath + one small next step
• Try: Look for what’s true and present right now

• Listen: Equanimity Mountain Meditation(Guided by Erika, 20 Minutes)

• Join: One of our weekly free and open to all sessions (30-60 minutes)

“My mind is a neighborhood I try not to go into alone” - Anne Lamotte

SUPPORT THE RIPPLE EFFECT

A community that is healthier, happier and more connected. It's not a day-dream, it's a reality we can continue to build, together.

In 2025, we led 149 training courses and 364 community access programs. With 18 facilitators and 145 volunteer hours.

These numbers represent countless moments where mindfulness isn't abstract, it's lived. As a skill and practice we are showing up weekly in libraries, recovery centers, classrooms, with case managers, and alongside those grieving and managing daily life. In these moments, people are learning to regulate unhealthy stress, regain confidence, and move forward when life can feel hard. We are present with a smile, providing space to pause and honor hope. It can change everything.

For those impacted by systemic injustice, trauma, and hardship (and in a moment when our country’s basic systems can feel fragile,) mindfulness is a stabilizing force. It's a proven way to help people face reality with greater clarity, resilience, and compassion. Together, provide access and training for many more of these hopeful moments in 2026.

As 2025 closes, 132 supporters have already stepped forward for our annual appeal with generosity that keeps this wave of change building. If you’d like to see what your support makes possible, our annual appeal stories (click below) are short, powerful and human.