Do something for no reason at all, no outcome, no pressure, just joy. Read a book that makes you feel something. Paint, cook, knit, write, nap, or even daydream. Choose something that feels like you, not your job title. When you engage in joy-based action, your brain gets a signal: “I am safe.” You stop performing. You start being. These acts of play and pleasure are crucial for healing and emotional regulation. They allow space for your identity to exist outside achievement. This kind of time isn’t wasted; it’s deeply restorative, even if no one ever sees it but you.
