I just sat there with a cup of tea, looked out the window, and listened to the silence. And you know, it was both scary and beautiful at the same time. Because in the silence, you hear yourself for who you really are. Not the you who smiles in photos or replies to letters. But the you who just... is. With all your fears, dreams, pain, and memories.
We women often live for others. For our parents, for our children, for men, for our colleagues. We know how to love selflessly, to be strong when no one is holding our hand, and to inspire when we ourselves are barely holding on. But how important it is sometimes to stop and ask yourself one simple question: “How do I feel?” Not how you should feel, not how you want to look — but how you actually feel.
Since then, I have introduced a little ritual for myself. Once a week, I have an evening without my phone, without chores, without “must-dos.” Just me, a blanket, tea, and my thoughts. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I smile. Sometimes nothing happens — and that's okay too. The main thing is to be honest with yourself.
Do you allow yourself to just be?