Breathing Space

I’ve always enjoyed the company of others. Time well spent with people who are dear to me is one of life’s best treasures. One thing I discovered a few years ago is the precious minutes spent alone, enjoying myself, connecting with my inner self; it’s what I like to call breathing space. There was a time in my life when I thought life was always supposed to be enjoyed with others and not alone. Because of all the family members I was around and the numerous friends I’ve always had, who were always available whenever I needed them. Later, I started to enjoy moments when everything is just silent. I can think clearly and process life in my head, the present and the future. Come up with solutions to life’s adversities that come and go. Unfortunately, modern distractions can sometimes make finding breathing space difficult. Before I get into finding time for breathing space, I want to share what exactly breathing space is, at least my personal definition of it.

Breathing Space is time well spent alone doing the things you love that will lead to happiness and peace. We are finally living in a time when the topic of mental health is on the table. All of our lives are so busy that we don’t live in an era when we can stop and smell the roses. This year, let’s make time to work on our mental health and flourish. I’m not a mental health professional, but one thing I know for sure is that focusing on myself and doing things that I enjoy on my own time has greatly enlightened my life. It doesn’t matter what others think if you have a passion for doing something, do it. There are a few things I like to do when I have some breathing space. Let me be clear: there are no rules to breathing space other than what you decide to do. The only goal is to make sure you enjoy what you do.

Tea Time
Having a cup of tea is how I begin my day; without it, I’m not helpful to the world. Tea time is an opportunity for me to reflect on what may lie ahead at work, possibly coming up with a solution to an issue I have been tackling for days. Sometimes, enjoying a cup of tea is just a moment to be still and enjoy the excellent flavor of jasmine green tea.

Music
There are moments when a song will soothe my soul with lyrics that I can relate to, depending upon the issue I am experiencing. I submerge myself into a musical moment, and all is ok. My Spotify subscription is one of the most valuable digital services I have. In times of struggle or even celebration, Spotify has been there with me every step of the way, even when friends and family members weren’t available to listen. Sometimes that’s not a bad thing because, with some of life’s issues, all we need is time, which equals breathing space.

Reduce Social Media
Social media platforms have become a part of our lives in numerous ways. Often, we don’t realize how much valuable time we waste submerged in the digital world. I am not suggesting disconnecting from social media, but be conscious of the minutes spent posting and scrolling. You might be surprised by how much spare time you have to dedicate to experiencing a few moments of breathing space.

Connect With Your Inner Self
You might ask how I establish a connection with my inner self? Take some time to write down your thoughts in a journal that can be therapeutic and uplifting. Think about what it is that you want to accomplish and seek out feasible solutions to some of life’s issues. You may not solve everything in a matter of minutes, but it does help when you get an opportunity to think clearly in those silent moments of the day.

Enjoy a Healthful Meal
Take a walk or ride to your favorite healthy eatery to nourish your body. Consuming food is one of the great joys of life. You get the opportunity to experience liquid or solid substances with flavor, whether sweet or savory. I believe taking the time to enjoy a meal alone should be wonderfully satisfying and count as part of breathing space. So often, with our busy lives, we rush breakfast, lunch, and sometimes even dinner. Slow down and enjoy food with real, wholesome ingredients, and enjoy the experience of consuming such good food because, as you have heard before, we only live once.

Visit a Botanical Garden/National Park
Spending quality time in nature is another excellent opportunity to enjoy a little breathing space. Discovering and adoring beautiful greenery and numerous exquisite flowers could put your mind at ease. You may also get a chance to listen to sounds produced by nature, such as birds, water, or wind. All of which can be calming and rejuvenating to the soul. Exploring the great outdoors is a great way to directly connect with Mother Nature as well as your inner self. Seek out local or statewide botanical gardens by visiting your city or county government websites. If you would like to find a national park, visit the National Park Service website at nps.gov

Originally published in Organicboi Magazine Winter 2020 | The Winter Wellness ISSUE | Content has been slightly modified.