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gray monkey in thinking pose

Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

Waking up at 4 AM, the first thing that slips into my mind is, “Already?” It’s not a standalone thought but a quiet echo of whatever was swirling in my head before sleep. Our thoughts, I’ve come to realize, are never truly independent. They’re links in a chain, each one tethered to the actions, emotions, or moments that came before. At my age, I’ve learned to tread lightly with overthinkingit can spiral into stress and health troubles. When I find myself caught in a mental tangle, I step away. A short break works wonders: a walk, a cup of tea, or some small, unrelated task to reset my heartbeat. Once calm, I return to the problem with a clearer mind. Life’s challenges don’t always need to be tackled head-on. Sometimes, the best approach is a pausea moment to breathe and let the mind untangle itself.

woman sitting on bench over viewing mountain

Do you need a break? From what?

Absolutely, I do need a break every now and then. Of late, I have been feeling the need to step backfrom the chaos, the noise, and the unnecessary stress. I need a break from: The list could go on forever, but here’s the truth I’ve come to accept: I can’t change the world, but I can change how I respond to it. So, instead of letting negativity consume me, I choose to: ✅ Stay engaged in productive activities like gardening 🌱✅ Learn new skills (cooking is my latest adventure!) 🍳✅ Ignore annoying peopleor, if unavoidable, limit interaction to the bare minimum 🚫✅ Exercise regularly to keep my mind and body strong 💪 At the end of the day, the best way to recharge is to focus on what nourishes the soul and let go of what doesn’t.

brown wooden handled brush on brown soil

Reducing clutter in my life

Clutter in life exists in two forms: the physical and the mental. The first, physical clutter, is often found in our homes and surroundings. The second, and perhaps more significant, is the clutter in our minds. To manage physical clutter, I stick to a strict daily routine. Every morning, from 6 AM to 7 AM, I dedicate one hour to activities like gardening, cleaning, or organizing my living space. I believe that keeping things I care about in their proper place brings order and calm to my environment. A tidy house feels like a clear canvas, free of unnecessary distractions. But the mental clutterthose endless thoughts, worries, and anxietiesis a more challenging battle. The human mind is often likened to a restless monkey, swinging from one thought to the next. Left unchecked, these thoughts pile up, creating a mental mess that can feel overwhelming. To tackle this, I practice mindfulness.… Reducing clutter in my life