I TOOK A BREAK

I took a break.

A break.

One of the hardest things to do, yet it can also be said to be one of the easiest things to be done. One may think that by announcing that you’re taking a break, you can just pack up your bags and leave your problems at one corner. Easy said than done. The act is simple, but the meaning may be deeper than one could imagine. When one has made such decisions, whatever issues or decisions left to be made precedes, they will never go away, merely waiting for your return. Hence, taking a break can be considered as one of the hardest things to accomplish.

Can one achieve it with an open mind?

How can you truly get away, even for a short while?

At the back of your mind, you are constantly being attacked by the thoughts of having unfinished matters at hand. At another thought, you think, perhaps it may be wiser for you to have a breather and come back with a refreshed mind.

Can the matters wait, you wonder?

Is it selfish for you to take a break?

When your mind is constricted by the decision of putting yourself first before others, it would be selfish, I suppose. During this period, a person would be engulfed by the feeling of guilt.

How can I be here relaxing, when the world is in turmoil?

You want to do something, but with so many walls built around you, metaphorically, what can you do?

How can I do anything when I’m so mentally exhausted?

The feeling of restlessness, the worries I had for others, how can I help when I, myself feel helpless?

I suppose the first step is to come into an understanding that you are, indeed, need to take a break.

The thought of it will then lead you to ask yourself, what does a break mean to you?

What constitutes a break in your definition?

Would it be reading up a book, take up an online course, learn something new or something else that doesn’t need much effort, such as watching a movie and listening to your favorite genre of music? Theoretically speaking, everyone owns an idea of how their breaks would be.

Hence, this is where you have to ask yourself, what do you want to do?

How can you put your mind and soul at ease?

Breaks can last from a day or two, up to months, or even years for some people. Whatever the case is, please do bear in mind that, some matters would be left unsolved until you find yourself the way back to the world. Depending on the severity of the issue or how important it is, you would have to choose the length of your break. I believe the longer the breaks are, you would feel that your guilty conscience is knocking on your door. It is often difficult in the planning of your breaks because you would feel it’s not enough. Well, life I suppose is a never-ending cycle of challenges that start with hardships but ends with happiness. Never let the feeling of guilt consumes you or let anyone tells you that it is selfish to take a break. I deserve a break, you deserve a break, every person in this world has every right to take a break.

The last step to take is for you to figure out what to do after your break is over. You have to start somewhere right? A new job, or a new deadline in meeting your clients’ demands, anything that you feel like doing. You can do anything you want, once you have a fresher mind. Don’t feel ashamed that you took a break, instead, be proud that you have returned with a mind that sees clearly and better than before. One may say, by taking a break, you are merely seeing yourself in a better position. Understanding oneself when you feel lost is the way to get yourself back on the path. If you feel the need to take a few steps back and just get away from things for a little while, do whatever you feel that is necessary. All is well for you to get back the confidence you once lost and gain clarity in life again.

If you are sensing that exhaustion is slowly catching up to you, why don’t you take a break?

It’s very refreshing to go away and take a break, to clear your head, and just get into something else.

Francois Nars