This Is Your Sign to Breathe
Content inspired by our quarterly WORTHshop with Kimberly Flear
Do you ever get that feeling that, from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed, you’ve been holding your breath all day long?
The day starts with a list. You’re juggling walking the dog, unloading the dishwasher, throwing in laundry, and making sure everyone else in the house has what they need. And then, finally, there’s you, pulling yourself together for the day, deciding how you’ll carry yourself into the world. All of this happens before the “workday” has even begun.
Then the to-dos pile in. Emails, meetings, deadlines. In the back of your mind, you’re still holding space for your mom’s birthday, your anniversary, or whether you remembered to send that follow-up. On the outside, you’re performing: showing up, checking boxes, doing what’s asked. Inside, it feels like you’re running on fumes, holding your breath just to keep pace.
One more item crossed off the list before lunch.
Sometimes, to push through, you reach for another coffee, or a drink at the end of the day to take the edge off.
But through it all, did you breathe? Or was it one long hold, keeping everything in?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many of us show up even when we’re unwell, tired, stressed, or mentally drained. It’s called presenteeism, and it’s one of the earliest signs of burnout. Women are especially at risk, because the responsibility for others rarely switches off.
If you recognize that sense of disconnection, it might be time for a check-in.
Breathe for 60 seconds. Eyes closed, hands on your chest, lap, or belly. Just reconnect.
Say “No.” A full sentence on its own. You don’t owe explanations.
Move. Put on your favorite song and dance it out.
Ground yourself. Feel your feet on the floor, notice your surroundings.
Try EFT tapping. Release tension and reset your energy.
These small steps, short pauses, simple boundaries, can begin to shift the weight you carry.
And remember: you don’t have to hold your breath all day. Whether it’s leaning on your support network, carving out solitude, or simply choosing one small act of care, every breath you take for yourself matters. Because when you return, you’re not just surviving the day. You’re living it.