12/22/2025
The holiday season often feels like a race to the finish line—closing out Q4, finalizing budgets, and rushing to buy last-minute gifts. But what if we paused, just for a moment, to look for the wonder in it all?
Awe is more than just a fleeting feeling of surprise. It’s a powerful emotion that can actually shift our biology and mindset. Research suggests that experiencing awe can quiet our inner critic, lower stress levels, and make us feel more connected to the people around us.
In a professional setting, this shift is invaluable. When we experience awe—whether it's from a collective achievement, a genuine act of kindness, or simply noticing the holiday lights on the commute home—our perspective expands. We stop focusing on the small stressors and start seeing the bigger picture. This openness fosters better collaboration and a more supportive team environment.
This season, I challenge you to intentionally seek out these moments. It doesn’t require a grand gesture. It could be as simple as:
• Reflecting on a team win that seemed impossible a year ago.
• Taking a different route to work to see the decorations.
• Truly listening to a colleague’s holiday story.
Our team writer, Seth Husney, explores this concept beautifully in his latest piece, "The Awe Effect: Finding Wonder in Everyday Life." He discusses how we can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary and why awe might be the missing piece in our mental well-being.
Read the full article here: https://santovia.com/blog/the-awe-effect-finding-wonder-in-everyday-life/
How do you find moments of pause and wonder during the busy end-of-year rush? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
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