Reflections from a Restless Soul

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My alarm rings again, shattering the silence.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve hit snooze this morning. Finally, I muster the will to turn off the string of alarms set five minutes apart. It seemed like a good idea last night.

I glance at my notifications, and my heart races for the first of many times today.

Reminder: Project Deadline Today

Oh no, I need more time.

Notification: You have 20 unread emails.

Not the best way to start the day.

Calendar Alert: Meeting in 30 minutes.

Guess I’m skipping breakfast again.

Breaking News: Another political scandal erupts.

Great, just what we needed.

Breaking News: Wildfire continues to spread in California.

I feel a pang of sadness for the lives affected.

Breaking News: Another species declared endangered.

I sigh, feeling the weight of the world pressing down.

I sit up, already overwhelmed by the avalanche of information. My mind spins, trying to process the chaos that seems to be a daily occurrence.

I really need to stop checking my phone first thing in the morning.

And yet, the next morning, I do it all over again.

It feels irresponsible not to stay informed, but it also feels unbearable to carry this burden every day.

I remember reading somewhere (apologies to the original author, I can’t recall where) that it’s beneficial to avoid screens for at least thirty minutes after waking up. My anxiety could certainly use the break. I decide to give it a try, hoping for even a small respite.

The first few minutes are peaceful. I make a cup of tea, savoring the quiet of the early morning. I watch as the steam rises, curling into the cool air. My cat, still curled up on the couch, opens one eye and lazily stretches before joining me. We step outside, and I take a deep breath, feeling the crisp air fill my lungs. My partner soon joins us, and we sit on the porch, watching the world wake up. These moments are fleeting, but I treasure them, knowing our time together is precious before the day pulls us apart.

I feel fortunate, especially as a homebody, to work from home. It gives me a bit more leeway in my morning routine. After my partner leaves for work, I pour another cup of tea (I know this contributes to my jitteriness, but let’s tackle one thing at a time). I curl up in my favorite chair, a soft blanket draped over my legs. Despite the warmth outside, I like to pretend it’s a chilly morning. I pick up a book of essays, finding comfort in their brevity and insight.

These few moments of calm have made a noticeable difference in my day.

Of course, this hasn’t solved all my problems. I still feel anxious and prone to doomscrolling, but these small changes have brought a bit of peace. I’m not here to give advice, but I’ve decided to start a series called "Reflections from a Restless Soul" to share the essays, quotes, and thoughts that bring me solace and help me remember why it’s important to keep moving forward.

I hope you join me on this journey. I hope you find something that resonates with you. And most importantly, I hope you find your own moments of peace.

I’ll leave you with a quote from Maya Angelou that often brings me comfort:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

Find your strength, hold on to hope, and embrace the peace that each day offers.