The holiday may be short, but the impact it leaves on me is often long-lasting. A brief pause from the weekly hustle gives me the breath of fresh air I didn’t realize I’d been holding. There’s something incredibly calming about not rushing, not planning, and simply being present in the moment. It feels like giving myself permission to just live—and that, in itself, is healing.
I used to think rest had to be earned, that I could only relax once everything was crossed off my list. But the truth is, rest is part of the process. It’s not a detour; it’s the fuel that powers the next leg of the journey. Taking time off—even just a day or two—allows my mind to reset, my body to recharge, and my spirit to remember what joy feels like outside of work and responsibility.
The simple joys—a slow cup of coffee, a quiet walk, or a nap with no alarm—remind me that life doesn’t always have to be productive to be meaningful. And ironically, these moments of stillness are what make me more energized and motivated when Monday comes around.
Holidays remind me why I work hard—not just for survival, but for the freedom to enjoy days like these. They’re not escapes from life, but reminders of how beautiful life can be when we slow down.
As Khalil Gibran once said, “In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”
Here's to finding joy in the pause—and carrying that light with us into the week ahead.
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