This week arrived with a gentler rhythm, and I felt it almost immediately. Monday began with my annual BLS refresher course—a reminder of why I do what I do, and the skills that matter most when every second counts. Work, as always, kept me busy, but I noticed something different: my body felt lighter. The aches that usually follow me like a shadow didn’t weigh me down this week. And that in itself felt like a quiet victory.

“HOW DID I SURVIVE THIS WEEK?”

By showing up, steadily. By managing the busy days without letting them overwhelm me. By reminding myself that not every week has to be survived through grit—sometimes, it can be lived through small ease.

“WHAT DID I DO WELL THIS WEEK?”

I allowed myself space outside of work. On my rest day, I went for a brisk walk by the canal with my partner, letting the water, the path, and the quiet air stretch the week’s weight off my shoulders. We also visited a cat café, where time seemed to slow down between playful paws, curious eyes, and brunch on the table. It reminded me that joy often hides in the simplest places—in furry company, in laughter, in being present.

“WAS IT A PRODUCTIVE WEEK?”

Yes, but in a balanced way. I kept up with work demands, refreshed my skills, and also found time to rest and reconnect. Productivity didn’t feel like a race this time—it felt like a flow.

“DID I SLOW DOWN AT ALL?”

Yes. I slowed down while watching the cats roam freely, unbothered by the world. I slowed down on that walk by the canal, matching my steps with the steady pace of the water. Those pauses reminded me that slowing down isn’t just about stopping—it’s about noticing.

“WHAT AM I GRATEFUL FOR TODAY?”

For a body that gave me relief this week.
For a partner who walks alongside me, literally and figuratively.
For the comfort of cats and the way they make spaces warmer.
For the balance of work and rest, skill and softness.

“WHAT DO I NEED MORE OF NEXT WEEK?”

Presence. I want to continue living with awareness, not just moving through the motions. More walks, more mindful meals, more time to simply breathe and be.

“AND WHAT DID THIS WEEK TEACH ME?”

That some weeks don’t demand endurance—they offer grace. That healing isn’t always dramatic; sometimes it’s as simple as noticing the absence of pain. That joy doesn’t require grand plans—it can be found in a walk by the water, or in the quiet company of cats who don’t ask for anything more than presence.

So here I am, ending this week with gratitude and gentle hope. If you had even one small moment that made you pause and smile, I hope you let it count. Because sometimes, those small things are the biggest proof that life is softening for us, little by little.

Here’s to another week ahead. May it be steady. May it be kind.

With warmth,
Anj 💛