Some days I don’t even realize how loud the world is until I get to step away from it. We live in a fast paced time. You wake up, blink, and it is night already. There may barely be enough hours in the day but your day feels like a blur, as you are filled with activities and screens and noise and conversations, all of which leave you used up rather than charged up.
There are a million fancy ways people talk about self-care: Spa days, vacations, a weekend without noise. But the fact is, I’ve needed far less than that. If you said to me “what do you do to unwind” I’ll probably shrug my shoulders and say “I read”
That’s it. Nothing extravagant, nothing complicated, just reading. That’s how I slow down when everything feels too loud.
I’ve had days where I couldn’t point to a single moment that felt real, nothing that really make my feel present or much at peace. But reading? That’s the one that brings me calm. It may seem simple or even boring to some, but that’s how it is when I open a book. I don’t look at the time while I read, I stop stressing about all the things I still need to do and stop getting overly consumed with thoughts of tomorrow or comparing myself with others. It’s just me and the words.
Some people call reading an escape, and yes, it can be that. I’ve escaped into magical worlds, sweet and dark romances, and heart-pounding thrillers. But more than that, reading is an anchor. It quiets my mind, it grounds me. There’s a kind of peace in getting lost in a story and not even thinking about checking your phone. Or finding a line in a book that makes you pause and whisper “wow”. Those moments stay with me. They bring a soft and lovely touch to even the simplest days.
It doesn’t have to be Sunday or silent or perfect or set in some aesthetic reading spot. I could be curled up on my bed, lying on the floor, or sitting by the window with a cold drink. The calm doesn’t come from the setting, it comes from the book.
Honestly, that’s what makes the day feel worth it. Not a big event or expensive plan, just the joy of getting swept up in someone else’s words, feeling entertained, moved or even challenged. So while the world keeps spins a little too fast, I read. I turn the page, take a breath and let myself enjoy the rare gift of slowing down
What about you? What brings you calm in the chaos?
image is mine