August is almost over. Gulp!
I’m still not quite sure how that happened.
It’s that crazy time of year when life is speeding up. I’m trying to give myself permission to not be busy all the time. I’m not very good at it, but I’m trying to get better.
I’ve often said that reading is the one thing I do for myself. That’s a good thing — to have one thing I do that’s sort of a hobby. At the same time, it’s a little sad that there’s not more, right? When I’m on social media, everyone seems to say I need long weekends at a minimum to relax and get away. I don’t have time for that.
If I can write books in twenty-minute bursts, then surely I can have a micro-retreat into a book in those short bursts, too. All it takes is a mug of my favorite tea, a scented candle, as the weather cools, a cuddly blanket, and a book I can’t wait to sink into. Changing my expectations takes the pressure off and makes those moments more relaxing. Does this idea of micro-retreats resonate with you?
If it does, here are a few books, I’ve read recently and recommend:
Taking an intentional break isn’t running away from responsibility—it’s hitting the reset button. When we allow our minds to rest in uplifting stories, our souls breathe easier, and we return to our families and work with renewed patience and joy. Here’s to making those moments cozy and intentional.
So today, consider this your official permission slip: leave the dishes in the sink for a quarter of an hour, grab that novel on your nightstand, and take a breather. Your spirit will thank you!
Before we leave: If you could take a 15-minute escape to any fictional setting or time period right this second, where would you go? Tell me in the comments below!