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The best thing I do for many years now is take at least 1 hour for my breakfast. Not only because I'm a slow eater, especially in the mornings, but because I need that little time for myself. I read, I listen to some calm music, or just gaze outside the window.

During the day I try to take small breaks, but sometimes I forget... well, at least I have my morning ritual 😅

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Hannah, this is lovely!

Last year I also decided to focus on not just WHAT I eat, but HOW I eat. I don’t want to multitask while I eat (although I fail to follow it on most days- guilty😅). But I love that you have a practice that allows you to slow down during the day.

How does this practice impact your mood during the day?

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Well, if I cán't have it, it has a big impact. I feel in a kind of weird rush the whole day, out of connection with myself.. I don't know. But it doesn't feel good. And those little breaks I (try to) take, feel like a little reset. Away from the screens, staring into the forest, watching some clouds, or just do the dishes (haha, lol) make it possible for my head to kind of reset.

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That is so true! I love spending time in the kitchen as well. I think there’s something so peaceful when I can just listen to all the plates and glasses clink as I put them in the cabinets hahaha

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I don't really take breaks in the afternoon 😂😅

But I take a nap though

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I like the idea of sharing what you learned each month, Mansi! I write a list for myself but how you do it (publicly in a blog post) has the added advantage that others can benefit from it, too.

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Thank you Louise!

I feel like so many people experience the same feelings as I do about topics like friendship say for example. We connect on a deeper level as humans, more than we know.

I love that you also practice this because reflecting back on shorter periods of time really helps in acknowledging the progress we make and helps us understand the person we’re becoming along the way 🙌

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Yes, that's so true! It's really wild how much can change for the better in just a month.

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Absolutely! And we tend to look past these moments of growth so many times. That’s why it’s necessary to slow down intentionally 🥰

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"Having a moment to breathe during the day is the bare minimum" YES! THE BARE MINIMUM

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Exactly!! And it really bothers me when I fail to acknowledge that. I think all of us need to be a little gentle towards ourselves in this chaotic world✨

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We've been taught that EVERYTHING has to be earned... and it's just an exhausting way to live

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Absolutely true!

I was thinking about it the other day and I realised “wow, I really don’t need to feel like I ‘deserve’ rest. I actually NEED it to survive”

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Really>>>>

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YES

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This is beautiful. Taking stock of what we learn clarifies the path forward

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Thank you Paolo!

Indeed, it’s the little things that matter💕

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When a friendship has drifted apart. I felt this. It was something I didn’t expect to happen this year. I am learning how to navigate through these changes

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I have been through that phase as well so I understand. It has really come down to accepting the fact that it’s normal for these changes to happen in life. So I accept and be grateful for the connections I still have💛

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I should take more breaks.

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Yes Bryan!

Me too.

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So good that you pen down your thoughts in words. Nowadays people dont have enough time to observe and reflect on the stuffs that are topmost priority to them: Health, Wealth, Love, and Happiness. There is a mental clutter going on in our mind every single day, which takes away the peace and present moment from us. Every day is a new experience and learning opportunity, and life always teaches us to enjoy every moment however stressful it seems. I too have a habit to reflect on the things that happened to me throughout the day, sometimes I write them in my diary to calm down my thoughts. You know, it feels so relief.

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Thank you!

Reflecting helps so much. So glad that you choose to do it too. 👏

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Thank you for your valuable time to reply to all the comments you get. Very grateful to it.

Reflection always helps me stay grounded, therby lowering my ego so that I keep learning from my mistakes and never repeat them in the future.

Waiting for your March edition of Lessons from the Last month article.

Have a great day 💞😊

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Thank you for your time as well!

I think being on Substack and interacting with the wonderful community has been the highlight of my day since the last couple months. Looking forward to more such interactions ✨

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I love that you added that quitting doesn't equal failure. This is so important and I think too many people stick with things they no longer want because they think they will LOOK like a failure.

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Thank you Wendy!

I tend to forget it too sometimes. I guess we’re all wired in this way by society since the very beginning. But it’s high time we decide to do something about this mindset. ✨

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These observations>>>

Especially the one about taking time in the day to breathe. It really works.

Sometime in December, I read The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma and since then I've decided to get up by 5AM and take the first hour of my day really really slow.

Just to think, reflect, be grateful and pray. It's been great 💚

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Love this! Starting the day slow really helps. I do that too and I feel so much better than just waking up and sitting in front of my laptop. 🌟

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Thank you so much for the tag lovely! :)

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💕💛

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I love your observations Mansi. I love how you regroup and go back to your tools to centre and realign yourself. I think writing is one of those powerful tools to pause, take stock, and reflect.

Thank you for sharing what you learned and thank you so much for the mention! You are so sweet!

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Thankyou for being here Mika! Your kind words mean so much to me💕

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Quitting does not equate to failing, it means you keep moving. Yes...

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🙌✨

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This is probably one of my most favourite one till now and came at perfect time too. Beautifully written too Mansi :)

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Big hugs🫂♥️

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