As a society that values and encourages moments of silence to remember the sacrifices of others, why do we place such little value on taking moments of silence for self reflection?
Women in particular are held to the impossible standard to do it all, be the perfect friend, daughter, caregiver, all while climbing the career ladder. Why impossible? Because many women do not have a support system that allows them to “have it all.” They barely have time to eat, let alone take a moment of silence for self-reflection.
Regardless of your personal situation, you need to find at least a few minutes each day to yourself. Our brains are constantly moving and our lifestyle is one that expects each minute to be productive. The by product of this on the go lifestyle is that our bodies and minds are constantly in a fight or flight routine. Have you ever woken up feeling less rested than you did when you went to bed?
I challenge you to take time to reflect on the quality of your life. As part of this reflection, I encourage you to closely examine your daily activities to see if you are already taking time for yourself.
Raise your hand if you have a daily devotional routine, perhaps you say a short prayer or take a few deep breaths when you wake up or before you go to sleep. These are the moments of silence and refreshment you have been seeking.
You do not need to either devote hours to self care or to sit in silence for hours to gain the benefits. The act of stopping and doing something that is meaningful to you is enough to reset your mind and give it the moment of rest it so deeply craves.
Only a few moments are all you need to give your mind and body the break you need.