My search for a Real Break

Are weekends a break? Is vacation a break?

Is resting a break? Is watching Netflix a break?

We live in a world that rarely slows down. Deadlines, exams, meetings — everything seems urgent, and somehow, taking a break feels like falling behind. Sometimes, a break is a few minutes of scrolling through our phones or an escape to the mountains. But what truly makes something a break? Is it the absence of work — or the presence of peace? Let's find out. Keep reading till the end.

It was Friday evening. I came back from college, sat down, and felt breathless for a moment. I had just taken a lift and walked barely ten steps to my room — yet I felt as though I’d climbed Mount Everest in one go. I reflected on my week and realized I hadn’t done too much compared to usual. Fridays don’t usually burn me out, but this time, the exhaustion felt painfully real.

I decided to take a break. For the rest of the time, I did nothing. I just sat but to my surprise I couldn't stop breathing so fast that I could hear my heartbeat without a stethoscope. I tried to sleep but couldn't sleep. Finally, I thought about going out and roam around for a few hours. Maybe that would relax me. And I did but it too didn't help me. I felt more exhausted. Then I talked to my friend, watched funny videos yet my mind couldn't find any rest. I ate my favorite foods. I enjoyed the whole day for the sake of a break. At the end of the day, I felt terribly exhausted. This made me question what break truly is. Is it just the absence of work or the presence of peace?

I realized I didn’t need a break from work — I needed a break from my thoughts. I was struggling with doubts, anxiety, and fear. Everything seemed fine on the outside, but inside, my faith was collapsing day by day. No amount of work done under fear can bring satisfaction. It only adds to the burden.

Work itself doesn’t cause stress; it’s the mind behind the work that does.

If your mind is calm, so will your work or it'll be the opposite scenario. When you are so stressed and try to take a break with the same mindset, you will end up feeling more stressed than before.

So here’s my honest advice: take a break in a way that lets you truly breathe.

Don’t think about the past or future during those first few minutes. Just breathe — let your mind slow down.

Then, think about the good things that have happened. Our minds rarely stay still, so gently guide your thoughts toward gratitude and positivity. Those thoughts release good hormones that relax your brain and bring peace.

Lastly, don’t worry about tomorrow while resting in the present. Feel the moment you’re in. Be thankful to God for it.

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

It’s not the greenery, not the mountains, not Netflix, nor even the weekends that make a real break. The real break is when you find peace while you rest.

I hope this blog helped you pause and reflect. Please share your feedback in the comments — like, share, and subscribe.

Thank you,

and happy November.