Take a Breath

by Sabrina Acloque

Always working makes you feel as if you can’t enjoy life sometimes.
 
I have a full-time, and a part-time, and I’ve been working non-stop for the past few months.  I’ve even had a few spurts of work-related travel, which, as a whole, has been great when looking back on it.  But in the moments when I was packing to go on my trips, doing so felt like something else I needed to do, but didn’t have time for, in the constant time-crunch that has defined my life as of late.  
 
I’ve been telling myself that when I’m no longer going through a hectic period, I’ll be able to enjoy all that I’ve done more.
 
But when is life not hectic?  If it’s not work, it’s family: birthdays, holidays, and reunions; or friends: coming in to town for the week, inviting you to happy hours, networking socials, or fundraisers for good causes.
 
So, I’ve realized that it’s not about when it’s over, but it’s every day before you go to bed that you have to take a moment to wind down and take stock of your day.  You can think about what made you productive or unproductive, and let your mind roam free of obligations for ten minutes.  You can sit, drink tea, write, or read your favorite book (which I honestly haven’t done in a while).  Or, you can look at pictures. But most of all, you can just let your mind wander.  Inspiration always comes to me this way: when I’m not thinking or planning, but just vegging out or meditating.
 
The mind knows everything when it’s not overthinking. 
 
This is obviously easier said than done.  And if you’re like me, you’re always thinking about all the things that you’re not doing when you’re really stressed.  But when you take a moment to find your breath, you give your mind and body just what they need: that little boost of energy to keep you going.