Posted on: 23rd January 2025

In the last few days of 2024, I saw many social media posts from friends and family sharing memories or reflections of their year, and indeed I shared my own (maybe you did too). As we step into a new year, it’s natural that we take that time to reflect, and perhaps consider what the new year will bring. This often looks like taking something up, but have you considered what you might put down?

During the lockdowns of the pandemic, I had many conversations with people who had become really aware of just how much they were doing pre-Covid, and were keen not to re-fill their diaries the same way on the other side of the pandemic. Nearly five years on from the start of it though, and it seems it’s been all too easy to fill our time again – with study and work, hobbies, activities for the kids, family obligations, volunteering opportunities, and no doubt there’s more! Many of these commitments come from a good motivation, but still, before we know it, we can find ourselves swept along and in habits and routines which we didn’t entirely intend to form.

In Ephesians, we’re advised to “be careful how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17). Amidst this busy-ness, it can feel difficult to carve out time to discern the will of the Lord, but undoubtedly this discernment can lead to freedom – freedom from the decision fatigue that can come with reshaping routines, freedom from the questions of “is this still right for me?”, and freedom from the busy-ness which can consume the best of us.

At Leeds Sanctuary, we use mindfulness as a tool for supporting contemplation and overall wellbeing. If you’d like to learn more about our Mindfulness activities and resources, please feel free to visit our website for more information.

By Emily Smith, Leeds Sanctuary