December with small children is full of joyful chaos, which made finding stillness feel almost impossible. Many days, I questioned my decision to prioritize stillness during such a busy season, but I’m so glad I stuck with it.

In a perfect world, I love finding stillness in the morning. Starting my day with quiet helps me feel grounded and focused, but when those mornings are interrupted, I previously felt like I had missed my only chance. These 30 days of stillness have taught me to let go of the idea that it has to look the same every day. Instead, I’ve learned to embrace its flexibility and find stillness wherever and whenever I can.

For me, intentional stillness usually begins with breath, sound bowls, scripture, or writing. These practices help quiet my mind, allowing me to truly experience the peace and clarity stillness offers. During this challenge, I discovered that while morning stillness sets the tone for my day, evening stillness is equally valuable. Once my children are asleep, the house becomes calm, quiet, and still. The evidence of the day’s chaos often remains, but in those moments, peace settles in—if I allow it.

Resisting distractions like my phone or TV at night hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth the effort. I’ve felt my stress ease, and I may have even gotten more sleep. This practice has given me a deeper understanding of how stillness impacts my mood and helps me show up more present and connected with others.

Now that the challenge is over, I’m relieved not to document my stillness daily, but I plan to continue the practice. It’s brought a sense of calm and grounding that I have been seeking. As routines return and life feels more predictable, I hope to find stillness in other parts of my day. For now, I’m grateful to know that stillness—whether in the quiet of morning or the peace of night—has the power to restore and renew me, even in the busiest seasons.