How to Bring More Soul Into Your Festive Season

Every year, as the days grow shorter and the lights begin to sparkle, I feel that familiar mix of excitement… and a touch of overwhelm. There’s something about the festive season that holds both the desire to make everything perfect and the quiet wish for it all to slow down and feel a little simpler.

Over the years, I’ve realised that the most meaningful moments aren’t the ones that come from doing more, but from feeling more — the laughter around the table, the glow of candlelight, the joy of a quiet evening spent simply being together. When approached with presence and intention, the season becomes less about perfection and more about connection.

Before the lists grow longer and the pace quickens, taking a moment to breathe and ground yourself can help shape a season that feels much calmer. It’s in that small act of slowing down that you create space for what really matters — presence, peace, and joy in its simplest form.

Start with a Pause

Find a moment and ask yourself a simple question: What do I really want to feel this year? Not what I want to buy or plan — but how I’d like this season to feel in my heart and home.

It might be Calm. Connection. Joy. Simplicity. Once you know the feeling you’re seeking, it becomes easier to make choices that support it. Whether that means saying no to an extra event or leaving an evening free for a quiet night in, it’s the small boundaries that create the biggest sense of peace.

Simplify Your Traditions

There’s a special kind of joy in reimagining traditions to suit where you are in life now. Perhaps it’s swapping an elaborate dinner for a slow breakfast or gathering loved ones for a mindful walk instead of a big night out.

The most memorable rituals are often the simplest — the ones that allow space to breathe, to talk, and to present. When you strip away the pressure of what you should do, the heart of the season — gratitude, warmth, connection — naturally shines through.

Create Meaningful Moments

In a world that encourages us to go faster, one of the most soulful things we can do is create moments that invite us to slow down. I light a candle as the day turns dark and let its soft glow mark the transition from work to rest. Sometimes I take five quiet minutes with a cup of tea, or step outside to look at the sky — tiny pauses that remind me to return to what really matters. 

You can find your own small moments — a daily walk, journaling by the tree lights, or setting an intention before bed. The season will always bring some level of busyness, but these moments of mindfulness can anchor you to a sense of inner calm, no matter what’s happening around you.

Let Go of Perfection

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of wanting everything to look or feel perfect — the gifts, the gatherings, even the decorations. But the truth is, the most soulful moments are rarely the most polished. They’re the spontaneous ones — laughter spilling across the table, a heartfelt message from a friend, a quiet morning before the world wakes up.

When you give yourself permission to let go of “perfect,” you make room for presence. And that’s where the magic truly happens.

So, as we move deeper into the season, I hope you’ll find gentle ways to slow down, reconnect, and bring more soul to your celebrations. It doesn’t take much — a soft glow of candlelight, a mindful pause, a heartfelt breath.

These small moments are where the spirit of the season truly lives.

AUTHOR: LEANNA DOOLIN

Co – Founder of holistic skincare brand, Pure Thoughts and advocate for women finding pause in their day to breathe deeply, give thanks and reconnect to what matters. Loves early mornings, dogs and books that you can’t put down.