One day, I was happy
The next day, I was feeling anxious
The day after, I was irritated and restless
On some days, I felt better but the pattern returned
Yet again, I felt uninspired
I felt extremely low
I tried to break the cycle but all in vain
I prayed for strength
I tried to make sense of the confusion
But my mind was too befuddled
When the world was quiet and still
Large tears rolled down my face
There was something that was slipping away
Was it my health or sanity?
What was I holding onto?
My job where was I replaceable
My people who did not even notice that I was upset
I was too busy myself to take a pause
Because it had been ingrained in my mind that life is a race
The same ‘mind’ which never ceases to amaze us
Was I even taking care of it?
Anxiety, depression was hitting me hard
They are not just terms but had become my reality, once
Wake up my friend!
The brain signaled me to slow down
It was overworked
It was tired fighting the fears, the race, cut throat competition as well as inner demons
I was ignoring all the signs
I had to convince my heart to ‘go easy on my mind’
Because I knew, no one else will
I was surrounded by questions
How will I work? How will I earn?
But what is wealth without health?
Someone must assure us
It is okay to take a break
No hell will break loose if you deviate from your path of success
Shut yourself- my inner voice urged
I took some time off for myself
I travelled near and far
I turned towards nature
I fell in love with sunrises and sunsets all over again
I discovered hidden gems of places
I indulged in mental wellness
I took up therapies
I learned the basics of calming the mind
I pampered my body
I took the burdens off my soul
My body thanked me
My mind healed
It is time that we all speak up and seek help
Let us live for ourselves first
Embrace mindful living Champion the goodness and wellness that thrives in the world.
The poem is born from my own journey. Years ago, while struggling to find my place in the corporate world and meeting anxiety for the first time, I discovered the quiet refuge of mindful living. For me, wellness has always meant embracing the simple things that bring joy—taking pauses, listening to my body, and reconnecting with my mind. I have come to believe that we cannot truly give to others until we are whole ourselves. To look outward with love, one must first look inward with care.
When I stumbled upon Santani Story Challenge, I had the urge to pen down this poem because I loved what I read on their website -“Protecting the world means protecting you first – a belief that guides everything we do.”
The need of the hour is that we talk more and more about these problems that are penetrating deeper in our society. We must acknowledge the need for mindful loving. We must speak about the need for mental wellness,. We got to help each other. Mindful living is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Mental wellness must be treated with the same seriousness as physical health. Each of us has a role to play: to support one another, to guide our friends and families toward safe, nurturing spaces, and to make sure no one feels alone in their struggle.
As a traveller, I love exploring wellness places in India and around the world. Ever since I have read about the core concepts of Santani Wellness Kandy, I have been itching to go there and experience it for myself. The Architecture of Silence, the Tri-Level Spa, and Gourmet Wellness Cuisine (Rasa Haya), are not just concepts but they are gentle ways of reminding ourselves to give that pause to ourselves. I value such places which breathe serenity, where stillness whispers truths we forget to hear. A place of indulgence—it is a journey through layers of release, renewal, and awakening. With every bite of good food, the body is nourished and the soul is reminded that food, too, can be a meditation. Rooted in mindful living, these experiences are not fleeting luxuries but timeless necessities—pathways that guide us back to harmony with our mind, body and soul.
I would love to reiterate that I have fought with my own demons and I know they exist for real. All one needs is a reminder that “It is okay, it is life”.
