We offer a simple post to remind each of us of the profoundness of the mindful breath and pause.
As the year comes to a close, I like to lean into the pauses woven into our lives. They’re found in the calendar, in the waxing and waning of the moon, in the space between the exhale and the inhale. The pause is everywhere—between thoughts, in our breaths, and in the Earth’s natural rhythm. It is not just a stop—it is a moment of connection with yourself.
The solstice marks a moment of profound transition in nature—a pause when the darkness lingers at its peak before yielding to the returning light. This natural rhythm reminds us of the power held in stillness, in the pause. What if we allowed ourselves to embrace that pause, honoring its quiet gift?
In the darkness, in the quiet, there is space for reflection. In the pause, there is room to rest. The pause is not absence—it is presence. It is a moment of reset, a flexion point where we hold what is, before moving forward.
Breath, Solstice, and the Pause
The transition from December to January is both simply a turn of the calendar and a collective moment of reflection. Pause here. Use this pause to reflect on what was, reset what is, and allow for what’s to come.
When we exhale, there’s a fleeting stillness—a pause—before the body reflexively inhales. That pause, though brief, holds a world of possibility. It’s a reset, a space of rest, and a moment to be. In our breath, as in nature, the pause is not a void but a bridge. It’s where we connect with our own rhythm, the present, and ourselves.
Breath reminds us of the power of the pause. As we move toward the new year, let’s honor these natural moments of stillness. They hold the space for what’s next while grounding us in what is.
Three Steps to a More Embodied 2025
- Pause for Self-awareness and Heightened Agency
- Breathe with Awareness Exhale fully, notice the pause that naturally follows, and then allow the new breath back in. Linger in that moment of stillness and let it remind you of your connection to the present. The pause in your breath is a microcosm of life—a natural rhythm that sustains and renews you.
- Tune Into Your Rhythm Set aside a quiet moment. Close your eyes and observe your breath as it flows in and out. While aware of your body’s natural response, expand that insight to your personal best flow. What is the rhythm of your days, work, play, and rest?
- Pause for Communication
- Practice the Pause to Clarify Your Thoughts In conversations, use the micro pause between your thought chunks. It’s a space to make it easier to connect. Allow the micro silence to breathe into your communication, creating room for thoughtful sharing and more profound listening.
- Pause Before Your Reflexive Response Allow the pause to give space for you to consider your response and give thoughtful care to the dialogue. It’s not an edit as much as it’s heightened self-awareness of the power of words.
- Pause for Your Deepened Practice in 2025
- Pause as a Release, Letting Go Use the breath’s rhythm as a metaphor for your life. What in your life needs an exhale or a letting go? Where can you find stillness before moving forward? The pause in your breath can remind you to create those pauses elsewhere.
- Practice Pause with Intention Bring awareness of the pause into your daily life. Take intentional pauses—between tasks, conversations, or decisions. Even a few seconds of conscious stillness can bring clarity and calm, just as the pause in your breath resets your body.
A Reminder: The Pause is Essential to the Flow
Pauses are not interruptions; they are the essence of rhythm. Just as your breath is incomplete without its natural pause, so is life without these moments of stillness. The solstice pause, the pause between thoughts and words, and the pause at year’s end are all invitations to align and chill a bit before diving back into the fullness of what the new year brings.
In the pause, we find clarity. In the pause, we gather strength. In the pause, we reconnect with the rhythm of nature and ourselves.
As you move into the light of the new year, let the pause be your guide. Exhale fully, and embrace the moment of stillness before the impulse guides you to inhale again.
Wishing you peace in every breath and every pause.
Hilary Blair is a leadership keynote speaker based out of Denver, CO, and is the co-founder of ARTiculate: Real & Clear. She is also a highly regarded actor, improviser, facilitator, voice-over artist, and voice expert coach. Connect with us.
