#7: on taking breaks

and not quitting

Author

Chelsi Mehta
March 16, 2025

I was watching this movie called "Every Day" a few nights back (or rather, at 3 AM, which seems to be when I do most things lately), and something one of the characters said really hit me:

Every Day (2018)

"Sometimes people need a break. Life gets too much."

I paused the movie and just sat with that for a minute.

Truth is, I've been feeling it lately.

Running two newsletters, often writing one at 3 AM and the other going out at 6:30 AM. Managing it along with client work, business development, and my own content. Add to that a bout of sickness that's been lingering, and to top it all off, periods. (Sorry not sorry for the TMI, but it's real life).

Everything hitting at once feels like trying to breathe underwater.

I've always pushed myself on consistency, on showing up. I've convinced myself that reliability means never taking a step back. But I'm realizing something important.

Taking a break isn't the same as quitting.

The human body isn't designed to run at maximum capacity without rest. Even machines need maintenance. Even the most dedicated athletes build recovery days into their training. Even the army has peace posting after posting at fronts.

So I might take my own little intermission. Not forever. Not even for long. Just enough to:

  • Actually sleep at normal human hours

  • Let my body recover from being sick

  • Refill the creative well that's running dangerously low

Once I recover, the words will flow better. The ideas will be fresher. The energy will be genuine rather than forced.

PSA: This newsletter, or as a matter of fact, everything I do, is not going anywhere; I’m just slowing down a bit to intentionally direct my energy towards things that are on priority.

If you're feeling overwhelmed too, consider this your permission slip to pause.

The world won't fall apart if you take a breath. Your goals will still be there. Your people will understand.

Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is nothing at all.

P.S. When was the last time you gave yourself permission to take a break?

Leaving this here: