The Holiday Hustle Is Lying to You
It’s December. You’re juggling 47 tabs in your brain—holiday shopping, work deadlines, family plans, end-of-year goals, and somehow, you still haven’t put up the tree (okay, I'm a tad dramatic.) If you’re feeling pulled in every direction, you are not alone.
Here’s the lie December tells you: “If you just do a little more, you’ll finally feel in control.” But guess what? More doing does not equal more peace. In fact, doing more is the fastest route to burnout.
That’s why Do Not Dec-sturb is all about two life-changing principles:
The Power of the Pause & The Power of Small Wins
These aren’t just feel-good ideas — they’re backed by Scripture, wisdom, and experience. If you lean into these two principles this week, you’ll finish the year feeling lighter, stronger, and way more ready for 2024.
Let me tell you how it works.
The Power of the Pause
Imagine your phone battery is at 2%. What do you do? You charge it, right? You don’t just keep scrolling, hoping it survives. (This is why my sister carries a battery pack when she hangs out with me...because I'm all too familiar with allowing my battery to reach 2% or less—black screen of death.)
Your mind, body, and soul are no different. You can’t pour from an empty cup. And yet, we try. We push, strive, and grind our way through December, thinking “I’ll rest when it’s done.” But what if I told you that rest isn’t the reward — it’s the requirement? Even Jesus took time to pause. In Mark 6:31, He told the disciples, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Jesus Himself — with all His wisdom, power, and divine mission — knew the value of pausing. So, why do we think we’re the exception?
Here’s why pausing is powerful:
It gives you clarity. (Hello, fresh perspective!)
It resets your energy. (No more running on empty.)
It reminds you that you’re not God. (Spoiler alert: You don’t have to do it all.)
This week, schedule one intentional pause. Not when you “have time” (because let’s be honest, that time will never come). Schedule it like it’s a meeting with God Himself. Maybe it’s an hour on Wednesday afternoon or 30 minutes before bed tonight.
During this pause, do something that fills your soul:
Journal and reflect on where God is calling you to pause.
Take a walk in nature without your phone.
Sit in stillness, pray, and listen.
The world will keep moving, but you don’t have to move with it. Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
Now let's talk about the Power of Small Wins
You ever look at your to-do list and think, “I’m gonna need a miracle to get all this done.”?
Same, sis. Same.
But here’s the game-changer: You don’t need to do it all — you just need to do one small thing.
Big goals are built with small wins. This isn’t just a motivational phrase; it’s biblical.
Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Notice it doesn’t say "God rejoices when it’s finished." Nope. He’s clapping for you at step one.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re not making progress fast enough, I need you to hear this: God celebrates small starts. It’s not about how fast you go; it’s about being faithful with small, consistent action.
Here’s why small wins are powerful:
They build confidence. (Nothing feels better than checking something off.)
They create momentum. (Small wins turn into big wins over time.)
They keep you from burnout. (Because big goals can feel overwhelming.)
Now let's put this into action! This week, pick one small win each day. Just one. Write it down in your planner, your journal, or a sticky note if that’s all you have. Make it small and specific.
Examples:
Clean out one drawer (not the whole kitchen — just one drawer).
Send an encouraging text to one friend.
Write down one sentence for that book or project you’ve been putting off.
And when you do it, celebrate it. Yes, I’m serious. Do a happy dance. Post about it. Thank God for it. Why? Because momentum builds with celebration. Every small win is a step toward something bigger.
What Happens When You Pause & Celebrate Small Wins?
When you pause and celebrate small wins, your whole life shifts.
Here’s what happens:
You stop feeling behind. Instead of chasing “more,” you focus on what matters.
You gain clarity. Pause gives you space to hear God’s voice, and small wins give you evidence that you’re moving in the right direction.
You get your energy back. Burnout happens when you go too hard for too long. Pausing prevents burnout, and small wins remind you to stay steady.
Listen, I know the world is telling you to “do more, be more, achieve more.” But that’s not God’s call for you. His call is to be still, trust Me, and don’t despise small beginnings.
If you learn to live this way — to pause before you push and celebrate small wins as you go — you’ll step into 2024 with peace, momentum, and joy.
How to Apply Week 2 of Do Not Dec-sturb!
Here’s your 3-part action plan for the week:
🛑 1. Schedule 1 Hour of Pause. Don’t wait until you’re exhausted. Plan it now. Write it in your planner, set a timer, and protect it like it’s a sacred meeting (because it is).
🚀 2. Write 1 Small Goal Each Day. Forget the long to-do list. Focus on one win each day. Small steps lead to big results.
🎉 3. Celebrate Your Wins. Don’t wait until you’ve "arrived" to celebrate. Celebrate your progress, no matter how small. God celebrates with you, so join Him.
The Bottom Line
December doesn’t have to be a season of burnout and exhaustion. You don’t have to rush, hustle, or “do it all” to finish strong. Instead, you can pause on purpose and take small, faithful steps forward.
If you do these two things this week — pause with purpose and celebrate small wins — you’ll end 2023 with peace and enter 2024 with power.
Be still, and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:10)Do not despise small beginnings. (Zechariah 4:10)
God is already at work in you. Trust the process.
If this blog blessed you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Let’s finish strong!
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