When I got my first “grown-up” office, I dreamed of a big window and a beautiful mug. I got both — but forgot about myself. Breaks were eaten up by chats, calls and “give me five more minutes.” At lunch, I usually just poked at my phone.

One day, I realized that I was tired of sitting even during my break. I wanted to go on vacation — but vacation was still far away. Then I came up with my own little ritual.

First — put your phone on airplane mode. If the world falls apart in these 15 minutes — so be it. Second — a beautiful mug. Yes, beautiful. Not a corporate one with a logo, but my own, cozy one. In it, I have my favorite tea or coffee. Sometimes just hot water with lemon.

I go outside if the weather is good. If not, I hide in a corner of the kitchen or an empty conference room. I turn on something calm in my headphones - maybe the sound of the sea or an instrumental. And close my eyes.

Sometimes I take a book with me. Sometimes I just sit and think about where I would go right now. The break turns into a little escape - as if I'm at the station, waiting for a train, and there's no one around.

Coworkers laugh at me when they see me with a blanket on the chair and my eyes closed. But I return to work not squeezed out, but a little different. A little more alive.

When I quit that job, I took with me not only the mug, but also the habit. Now I know: even in the middle of a hectic day, you can find an island. The main thing is not to let anyone take it away.