Daily TribuneBetween headlines and deadlines, I found myself yearning for stillness. Over Holy Week, I created a personal retreat at home — no flights, no filters, just a space to breathe.
Choose a spot in the house that you can breathe in – away from all the noise, internal and external.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF FREEPIK
Bring in elements that soothe you such as candles and books.
Spend a few minutes in your chosen space to reconnect with yourself after a tiring day.
The work of a media practitioner — let alone an editor for DAILY TRIBUNE’s online platforms and Spaces (of course) — is never truly done. There is always something brewing: Stories to chase; reports to write, edit and publish; and a seemingly endless string of deadlines. The hours are long, and the caffeine and sugar consumption is high. My colleagues often joke that I practically live in the office. And some days, that doesn’t feel too far from the truth.
But this past Holy Week, I did something different. I permitted myself to slow down. I carved out a small sanctuary in my home — a quiet corner that allowed me to unplug from the online (and real) world and tune back into myself.
It wasn’t grand or expensive, but it made a difference. And now, I want to share some of the simple things I did, hoping that you, too, can recreate your own sacred space within the hustle of everyday life.
I didn’t have a spare room to work with — just a corner by the window. But I cleared it out, placed a floor pillow and laid down a small Persian carpet. I brought in a low table to hold a few of my favorite books, a scented candle, my corgi lamp and a little dish of candies that I love. It didn’t take up much space, but it made a statement: this space is for me.
I added textures that soothed — soft throws, cushions and a playlist of ambient music that played softly in the background. I kept a journal nearby, too, and found myself writing again — not for deadlines, not for clicks — but for clarity.
I have always been dependent on natural sunlight and made it a point to sit in this corner in the mornings, letting the light pour in while sipping tea or coffee. It reminded me that the world, no matter how noisy it gets, still holds quiet beauty.
As soon as my shift was over, I didn’t entertain any work emails or Viber messages. No breaking news alerts. It felt strange at first, like I was missing something. But as I leaned into the silence, I realized I wasn’t missing out. I was coming back to myself.
I brought in potted plants — many varieties of Pothos that I have brought back with me from my condo living in a previous life. With one of them I planted in a thrifted fox ceramic planter. A small touch of green to remind me of growth, even in stillness. There’s something grounding about watching something thrive under your care, especially when you’re learning to care for yourself, too.
It’s easy to fall back into old rhythms once the break is over. But I made a promise to return to that space regularly, even just for a few minutes a day. It’s now my soft place to land after a long shift or a chaotic news day. It helps me breathe a little slower, think a little clearer.
The world isn’t getting quieter with the many, many characters I have to interact daily, and the demands of work won’t disappear anytime soon. But in creating even the smallest sanctuary at home, I’ve found an antidote to burnout — and maybe even a little joy.
I hope you find yours, too.
