Lately I had been feeling cranky.

I got easily distracted. I did one thing, then got distracted by something else, then got distracted again, and the cycle just went on and on.

For the last few weeks, my mind had been winning the arguments that I was too busy to look after myself first.

I cancelled a few of my yoga classes reasoning that it was too cold outside, it was raining heavily outside, and I would rather be under my doona.

It was not long before my cortisol level was starting to overproduce and rear its ugly head.

Its by-product?

Feeling more stressed. Anxious. Short-tempered.

One session of checking-in with myself with the help of Calm apps, it brought me back to my peace state. And it also brought back a realisation that I had been living off my head than off my heart.

Really. Calm app, I cannot thank you enough for how much roles you have been playing in taking my anxieties away.

Those quiet moments spent checking-in with myself gave me a chance to eventually acknowledge my feelings about a few particular situations that I was unconsciously attaching myself into.

Despite my initial feeling of being upset as my mind continued to be restless and wanting to be out of it, I eventually came to welcome them as being a part of me. We are human. Having thoughts on our mind is one of the aspects which makes us a human.

We do, however, have a choice whether or not to treat them as a bypassing wind or to serve them morning tea.  Most of our thoughts are not even facts! We attach ourselves so much to them and are eventually led to believe that they are fact. So, the best choice is, to let them come in through one door, say thank you, and then show their way out.

I believe it is an essential part of our lives to pause and start checking-in with ourselves regularly, so that we do not burn out. It is okay to take some time off just to be with ourselves.  To have a date with ourselves.

I personally love to write in my journal at the end of my day. It gives me a chance to acknowledge my ‘unacknowledged’ feelings throughout the day and what I am grateful for.

Afterwards, I can drift off to sleep in peace.

How do you “pause”?