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Relaxing and Reading a Book: Giving Yourself Permission to Slow Down ⁓

So, I was feeling guilty. Here I was with nothing to do—just sitting. I had already had a good day: got my walking in, tended to the garden, checked off some work tasks. All in all, productive. And yet, when I finally had a moment to myself, I thought, now what?

A friend of mine gave me some advice I didn’t expect. He said, “Did you ever hear of just relaxing? Sitting and enjoying a book, resting your brain?” Honestly, that had never been my strong suit. I’m the kind of person who feels guilty if I’m not “doing” something. Giving myself permission to simply sit felt indulgent, almost wrong.

But I decided to try it—on my own terms. If I was going to “just relax,” I needed to set the stage. Somehow, it felt less like wasted time if I prepared for it.

First, I found the right spot. It had to be cozy and quiet, with no distractions. I carved out a space near the window where light filtered in, peaceful and inviting. A comfy chair, few pillows, a blanket, and I was comfortable enough to settle in without fidgeting.

        
COZY
                                        

                                                                 COMFY
Next came ambiance. Relaxation, at least for me, isn’t just about stillness—it’s about engaging the senses. I added a gentle, calming scent with a Cocorrina diffuser set, which instantly shifted the mood of the room. It was a little ritual to mark that this was “me time.”

Finally, the book itself. No screens, no notifications, no multitasking. Just a good story and a promise to myself: this wasn’t wasted time. Even if I drifted into a nap, it was still time well spent.

And you know what? It worked. Once I allowed myself to relax without guilt, reading became a pleasure again, not a luxury. It wasn’t about escaping responsibilities—it was about recharging so I could come back to them with more energy and a clearer mind.

So if you, like me, struggle with slowing down, try setting the stage. Find your cozy corner, add a few small comforts, and give yourself permission to enjoy a book. You’ll be surprised how restorative it feels to stop “doing” and simply be. And if you need more help creating that perfect ambiance, check out placing some plants around you — we’ve found all of these things make relaxation that much easier.

                    

                                                           INDOOR NATURE

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