It was an ordinary day, or so I thought. I had just finished taking care of all my daughter’s morning needs and routine, ensuring she was set up with her online program. With her happily settled, I sat down to work on my computer, thinking I could finally focus on my tasks. Emails were piling up, a to-do list sat glaring at me from the corner of the screen, and my mind was racing to keep pace with everything. But then, something changed—a sharp pain in my chest stopped me in my tracks.

It wasn’t just the pain itself that scared me; it was the overwhelming flood of thoughts that came with it. Is this something serious? Have I been pushing myself too hard? How do I even begin to slow down when everything seems so urgent?
In that moment, I realized that I needed to step back and listen to what my body was trying to tell me. It was loud and clear.
We often go through life wearing our armor of strength, not just for others but for ourselves. We push through deadlines, expectations, and the emotional toll of everyday life without thinking twice. It’s almost as if we believe that showing any sign of weakness makes us less capable, less strong.
But that day, sitting there in front of my computer, I felt anything but strong. The chest pain wasn’t just physical—it was a culmination of stress, emotions, and responsibilities that had been building for far too long. I realized how easy it is to get caught in the swirl of daily life, always moving, always doing, without pausing to take care of the most important task of all: taking care of myself.
In that vulnerable moment, something inside me urged me to stop. To breathe. I closed my eyes, put my hands over my heart, and focused on my breath. It wasn’t a dramatic, sweeping gesture; it was simple and small. Yet, as I inhaled deeply, I could feel the tension in my chest begin to ease, even if just a little.

This simple act of breathing allowed me to step outside the chaos I had created in my mind. For just a moment, everything else melted away—the to-do lists, the emails, the pressure. In its place was a quiet reminder that sometimes, the most important thing we can do is nothing at all. To stop, breathe, and simply exist in the moment.
That day, I found clarity in those few deep breaths. It didn’t solve all my problems or make the stress magically disappear, but it gave me the space I needed to reassess my priorities. And it gave me peace—a small but profound sense of peace in the middle of the storm.
I’m sharing this story not because I think it’s unique, but because it’s universal. We all face moments where life feels too heavy, where our bodies and minds are asking us to slow down. Yet, how often do we ignore those signs? How often do we keep pushing forward, telling ourselves we’ll rest when the work is done, when the house is clean, when the kids are settled, when everything and everyone else is taken care of?
But here’s the truth: there will always be another task waiting, another email to respond to, another person who needs something from you. Life doesn’t slow down just because we do. And yet, if we don’t take the time to slow down, to breathe, and to listen to ourselves, we risk burning out entirely.
Self-Care
That moment in front of my computer was a wake-up call for me. It was a reminder that self-care is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. It’s about recognizing when you’ve reached your limit and giving yourself permission to stop.
Self-care means checking in with yourself, asking, “How am I really doing?” It means acknowledging the moments when you feel overwhelmed, and instead of pushing through, choosing to step back. It means breathing through the hard moments and finding clarity in the pauses.
I know I’m not alone in this experience. So many of us, especially those who carry the weight of multiple roles—parent, caregiver, employee, advocate—are familiar with the feeling of overwhelm. We tell ourselves we have to be strong, that others are depending on us. But here’s the thing: even the strongest among us need rest. Even those who seem to have it all together face moments of doubt, exhaustion, and pain.
Recognizing the Signs

It’s easy to ignore the signs when life gets busy. We brush off the headaches, the muscle tension, the sleepless nights, telling ourselves it’s just part of life. But our bodies are wise, and they will keep sending us signals until we listen.
That chest pain was my signal. It was my body’s way of telling me I had been carrying too much for too long. And I’m grateful I listened - we need to care for ourselves before we can care for anyone else.
Balance
Since that day, I’ve been more intentional about finding balance. It’s not easy—I’m still learning how to say no to things that drain me and yes to things that nourish me. But I’m trying. I’m making space for more moments of stillness, more moments to breathe.
I’m learning that it’s okay to step away, whether it’s from work that needs to be done, from a stressful situation, or from my own expectations. In fact, stepping away doesn’t make us weak—it makes us strong. It’s a sign of self-awareness, of recognizing our limits, and of valuing our well-being enough to protect it.

So, if you’re reading this and you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, if you’ve ever found yourself in a moment where everything feels too much, I want to remind you: it’s okay to pause. It’s okay to take a step back and breathe.
You don’t have to do it all, and you don’t have to do it all right now.
In fact, sometimes the most productive thing you can do is take a break. Sometimes, the greatest strength is in recognizing when you need to rest, reset, and care for yourself.
This is a candid and personal reminder of how crucial it is to listen to our bodies and minds, especially in times of high pressure. That day taught me the importance of breathing through the pain, of stepping away from the chaos and finding calm within myself. And I hope it serves as a reminder to you, too.
Life is overwhelming at times, and we all face moments where it feels like too much. But in those moments, you do have the power to pause. Forget the mountain and try to focus on the calm. You have the power to breathe. And in that simple act, you may just find the clarity, peace, and the strength that you need to keep moving forward.

Mountain Fuji - Japan
Take care of yourself. You’re worth it!