Ayantika Malakar

Pause. Breathe. Live.

We all carry a suitcase of dreams since childhood. Some dreams are handpicked by us, and others sneakily shoved in there by parents, teachers, and random relatives. As we grow up, we unzip that suitcase, pick a dream, and start chasing it. And what happens next? We keep running. We hit one milestone, dream bigger, and run again. And sure, that’s how life works. We have to run, because if we don’t, we’ll fall behind. But somewhere in this marathon, we forget the why. Why did we start running in the first place? We stop noticing the small joys of life—tiny victories and the little moments that make life sweet.

Even if we’re not chasing a grand milestone, daily life itself can feel like a never-ending obstacle course. For most of us, especially after we step into the working world, life becomes a cycle—wake up, work, sleep, repeat. The routine is monotonous. The stress is real. We’re running not just to reach a dream, but to keep things steady—to maintain a standard of living, a certain status. And there’s nothing wrong with that. We do have to keep going. And soon enough, this daily grind takes over every ounce of joy and we turn into exhausted machines.

It’s time to ask ourselves: Are you alive, or are you just… existing?
If you say “yes” to living, congratulations—you’ve cracked the code! But if you’re still figuring it out, don’t worry. You’re not alone.

Deadlines. Responsibilities. Endless notifications. It’s chaos everywhere—both at work and home. And without a way to unplug, how long can we last before we burn out? Life doesn’t wait for us to catch our breath. It zooms ahead like a bullet train, and before we know it, years fly by. Suddenly, we’re sixty, with a fat bank balance but no energy or enthusiasm left to enjoy it. We’ll sit down to write your autobiography and realize it’s a one-liner: “Ran the race. That’s it.”

Depressing, right? But it doesn’t have to be that way. While chasing dreams is important, so is keeping your sanity intact. What if you took a moment to breathe? What if you found a way to enjoy life a little, even while you keep running?

Life isn’t about blindly running behind goals—it’s about enjoying the journey in your unique style. This isn’t about quitting the race or questioning your life choices. It’s about adding a dash of happiness to the mix. A way to break the monotony. And for that, you need a pause button. Something that reminds you to stop, breathe, and just be. A little something that’s yours—something that helps you momentarily escape the stress. Maybe you need a HOBBY—a tiny slice of joy in your daily grind.

Rediscover yourself: Find Your Escape Hatch

Life is demanding, and stress doesn’t wait for the weekend to show up. If stress knocks on your door daily, why wait months for a travel break to relax? Sure, traveling is a great way to unwind, but it’s not always feasible. It requires time, planning, and often, a chunk of your budget. A more practical solution? Find something that can give you small doses of joy regularly—without the need for plane tickets or long holidays.

 As kids, we all had hobbies. Remember those slam books we used to fill in for friends?  “What’s your hobby?” was always a mandatory question, and we always had answers ready—painting, singing, dancing, collecting stickers, or playing cricket. Now, if someone asks you the same question, you’ll probably go, “Umm… does scrolling Instagram count?”

Well, it’s time to find that answer again. Bring back that long-lost hobby. Rediscover what lights you up. It doesn’t matter what it is—drawing, gardening, cooking, writing, or even napping. The idea is to create small windows of happiness in your daily life—moments where you can pause, breathe, and be yourself. Even ten minutes of indulging in a hobby can lift your mood and recharge your mind. It’s like giving your brain a mini spa treatment—no appointments needed. And trust me, life will no longer feel like one endless, monotonous loop.

When you engage in something you love, time slows down, worries fade, and it’s just you and your passion. This isn’t some self-help jargon; it’s real. It is like a mental reset button—it helps reduce anxiety, improves focus, and lifts your overall mood. Even a short break spent doing something you love can recharge your mental batteries.

Don’t Follow Trends—Follow Yourself

Now here’s a common trap: in today’s social media-driven world, we often feel pressured to do what’s trending. Taking a break doesn’t mean you have to do what everyone else is doing. Just because every third person on Instagram claims they find peace in trekking or beach-hopping, doesn’t mean you have to pack your bags and do the same. Remember, you’re unique, and so are your choices.

We’re all wired differently. Ask yourself—what truly relaxes you? Maybe it’s lying on your couch with your favorite blanket, binge-watching your comfort show. Maybe it’s sipping chai (tea) while chatting with your friends. Maybe it’s doodling on random bits of paper or playing with your pet. The point is—you don’t have to copy anyone. We’re all different models, different batteries with different charging methods. Find what works for you and stick to it.

Trends can sometimes push us into a different race, on a different track- the “who’s spent the coolest weekend”. Don’t fall for it. This isn’t about impressing anyone. Relaxation is personal, and supposed to feel effortless, not like another task on your to-do list. It’s about finding something that genuinely makes you happy, whether it’s popular or not. Hobbies are our personal escape, our way to disconnect from the madness. Oh, and by the way, it’s okay to have more than one hobby. No one’s judging!

And let’s not even talk about endless internet scrolling. Sure, it kills time, but it does nothing for your mental health. In fact, it can make things worse—feeding anxiety, comparison, and restlessness. So, if you’re using social media as a break, be aware—it’s more of a trap than an escape.

My Journey from Robot to Revived

Want to know how I found my unique way to de-stress? As a kid, my go-to answer for “What’s your hobby?” was Crafting. I loved it. But somewhere between growing up and getting a job, that spark started to dim. Life happened. Weekdays turned into a mechanical loop of wake up, get ready, work, come home, eat, sleep, repeat. Weekends weren’t much better—wake up late, eat, scroll mindlessly through social media, stress about Monday, eat again and sleep.

It took me years to realize that I wasn’t just losing my passion—I was losing myself. So one day, I decided to change things. I bought a fresh set of art supplies and started crafting again. It wasn’t easy. But slowly, I found my rhythm. And along the way, I discovered a new passion—writing.

I used to have these long monologues in my head, and one day, I decided to write them down. And just like that, my hobby expanded. Now, here I am, sharing my thoughts with all of you.

Little Moments, Lasting Happiness

Here’s the thing—you don’t need hours to nurture a hobby. Even ten to twenty minutes a day can make a difference. The goal isn’t to be perfect. You don’t have to create masterpieces or win awards. Just do it because it makes you happy.

You don’t have to overhaul your entire lifestyle either. Just make room for a little joy every now and then. Small steps, taken consistently, can add up to a happier, healthier you.

So, what’s that one thing you’ve always wanted to try? It could be something new or something you loved as a kid but gave up along the way. Go ahead—take that first step today. Whether it’s once a day, once a week, or even once a month, make time for it. Life is meant to be lived, and taking time for yourself is an essential part of that journey.