Five years ago I wrote a post on taking breaks, how important it is for me and what I do to refill my cup when I take one. With a half decade of distance between that past version of me then and me now, I have some new thoughts on the importance of breaks.

Last week war broke out in Europe, that in itself is a loaded statement because truly the full scale invasion of Ukraine by Putin has been coming for 8 years. With this invasion comes a multitude of other systemic issue brought to the surface for examination. How society’s dependence on fossil fuels is paying for this war and contributed to inaction since the aggression has started. How racism and white supremacy is playing out in real time with no effort to even veil it. And blatant hypocrisy in American politics, ready to mislead and divide in a moment where the urge should be to unite.

World events like these, especially ones distant where I feel I have very little I can do to influence an outcome always bring a sense of hopelessness for humanity. At least for a while. But these are the times that I am reminded to step away from my curated algorithmic bubble that is social media, and dive into myself, my community, and the things in my environment I can have a hand at bettering.

I believe world peace starts in each individual. It begins with eradicating hate and prejudice in our own hearts. I continues with our actions wishing our own families and communities. Peace is a rebellious and ongoing act that will require each of us. And I for one cannot do this kind of continuous act with out taking time away from the continuous scroll, the constant intake of media and “hot takes,” and reflect on how I show up in this world to help make it the tiniest bit better. All this to say, I have been taking a break from social media and anything else that feels like a distraction. Instead I have been having dialogue with those I trust, processing my emotions and fears, and educating myself. All of these feel like fortifying acts so I can continue to show up in my own unique way with hope and energy for a better future.