This morning, my alarm didn’t ring on time, making me rush into the day without my usual morning stretches and a moment to breathe in the morning air. I had a tight schedule: walking the dogs, getting my son ready for school, preparing breakfast, and making his lunch—all had to fit within a mere 30-minute timeframe.
After dropping off my son at school, I sat in the car and listened to the raindrops gently drumming on the windshield. While fumbling through the radio stations, I stumbled upon a classical channel playing a Handel piano concerto. It was quite a departure from my usual morning playlist, which is usually something upbeat to jolt me awake. But this time, I decided to give it a chance.
As the piano keys danced and the raindrops kept their gentle rhythm, I felt a shift within me. It was like my body was telling my mind to slow down and take a breather. The drive back home, usually a stress-filled affair, felt oddly serene with the piano playing softly in the background. When I arrived home, I decided to linger in the car, engine off, just to listen to the remaining notes of the concerto.
In the fast-paced world we live in, we often forget to give ourselves permission to pause and reset. Despite maintaining a regular exercise routine and mostly getting good sleep, this experience was a gentle reminder that taking intentional breaks to unwind is essential. Don’t underestimate the power of these moments of self-care—they not only boost our productivity but also make us more compassionate and considerate toward those around us.
So, here’s a little reminder: take a step back, breathe, and make time for yourself. You deserve it.