Embrace the Pause
Finding life’s simple pleasures to rediscover my true self
Look around for the silver lining, that glimmer of hope, look at the bright side.
There’s a light at the end of every tunnel.
A few phrases we’ve heard countless times, often dismissing it without a second thought. I confess, I was no exception.
Becoming a mother, juggling a full-time job, and freelancing on the side turned life into a constant trigger. The minutest disruptions felt like avalanches, threatening to derail the meticulously planned schedule of my day. An extra 15 minutes of sleep became a luxury I couldn’t afford without the fear of upsetting the delicate balance. The urgency to complete tasks, even when given the option to postpone, became a relentless demand on my time.
Sick days, off days, or simply days when nothing went according to plan became stress-inducing challenges. It reached a point where I was neglecting not only myself but also the essential connection with my partner.
Motherhood and work were my sole priorities, leaving no room for a semblance of work-life balance.
My mental health suffered, manifesting in a perpetual state of stress, a lack of smiles, and an inability to savor life’s simple joys.
Then, one day, I hit the pause button.
I questioned the rush, the relentless push toward an undefined goal.
Yes, I was working hard for a better future for my family, but was I truly present for them in the now? The answer was a resounding no.
So, what future am I going to better, when I have not even seen it — heck, I don’t even know if I’ll be there to witness it — if I am not doing anything about the present?
The realization struck — the frantic routine of working, cooking, feeding, and managing household chores wasn’t synonymous with being present. I was merely going through the motions, not truly being present for my loved ones.
I questioned whether I was genuinely enjoying the things that once brought me joy — cooking, reading, learning, and spending quality time with my family.
Why did that happen? What changed?
The answer was obvious, the relentless pursuit of an unattainable checklist and an ever-growing to-do list that had taken a toll.
I slowed down and realigned my priorities, with the constant reminder of my “why” — my family, my anchor. They deserved to come first, and the world could genuinely wait. There may be exceptions, but they should be just that — exceptions, not the norm.
I started incorporating music and podcasts into my daily tasks, just like before, and these became a source of joy — slowly transforming mundane activities into opportunities to dance and savor the moment.
The to-do list remains, but my approach has changed. When stress threatened to overwhelm, I question the urgency.
Can it wait, and if not, is it worth the stress?
Sometimes, it’s not the chores and to-do’s but our mindsets that need adjusting.
We need to pause. We need to appreciate how far we’ve come and acknowledge that our current reality was once a dream.
In the pursuit of that elusive “one thing” or “one dream,” we often forget to be grateful for where we are. Life becomes a relentless chase, but when do we hit the brakes? Do we pause, breathe, and appreciate the little joys for the sake of our families, friends, children, and ourselves?
We are here to live, not just to chase a better life.
So, let’s take a moment to pause and live. Because honestly, no matter how far you have come or how much you have achieved, there will always be something to “wow” you in life. But do we truly need it? Is it worth sacrificing our well-being for the pursuit of an ever-elusive “wow” factor?
Life is too short to endure unnecessary stress and pain. Pause. Take that break. Relax. Destress. Breathe. Let’s live and relish the little joys and the people we love.
Cause in the end, it’s these moments that make life truly worthwhile, nothing else.
