Last evening, I met Rita in her favorite café. She stirred her iced-tea absentmindedly, her brow furrowed. “I feel like I’m running all the time, Bob,” she sighed. “From morning calls to late-night emails, there’s never a pause. Even on weekends, work sneaks in. It’s like I’ve forgotten what it feels like to just breathe.”
I nodded, keeping my strawberry shortcake aside, I said, “You’ve always been a go-getter, Rita! Even the strongest engines need a pit stop. So when was the last time you did something just for yourself?” I asked gently.
She looked up, surprised. “For myself? I don’t remember. Maybe months ago.”
“That,” I said, leaning back in my chair, “is the problem.”
She blinked. “You think I should quit?”
“No, not necessarily. But I do think you need to draw a line somewhere. Work will never stop asking for more. The question is—are you giving yourself even half as much as you give your job?”
She sat in silence, “I used to paint, you know,” she said, almost whispering. “Sunday mornings. It made me feel light.”
I smiled. “And now?”
“Now I feel heavy. Tired. I don’t sleep well. I keep snapping at people I love.”
I reached over and tapped her cup gently. “That’s your body and heart sending you signals. And you’re not alone, Rita. So many of us are living with that invisible weight. We’re checking off tasks but forgetting how to check in with ourselves.”
She gave a half-hearted chuckle. “I just thought this was adulting.”
“Nope,” I said with a grin. “This is overworking disguised as duty. You don’t need to escape your job. You need to reintroduce balance. Start with one morning walk. One evening with your paints. One screen-free Sunday.”
She looked thoughtful. “And if work piles up?”
“It always will. But guess what? You’ll handle it better if you’re rested. Health isn’t just about green smoothies and yoga. It’s about joy. Rest. Breathing. Saying no sometimes.”
She nodded, slower this time, as if each word had carved a little space in her overwhelmed mind.
“I think I’ll bring my paints out this weekend.”
“Do that. And maybe skip those emails until Monday morning,” I winked.
Dear Reader, if you’re reading this and nodding like Rita did—pause. You are more than your job title and to-do list. Life isn’t just about surviving deadlines; it’s about living the moments in between. Take care of your body, guard your peace and don’t forget what makes your spirit smile. Balance isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
