What Are Intentional Breaks?
An intentional break is a moment you set aside on purpose—not just to pause, but to fill that time with things that truly matter to you. It's about choosing activities that bring comfort, calm, or joy.
You can think of it as a space where you give yourself full permission to focus only on what feels valuable—whether that's something that helps you feel peaceful, quiet, creative, or even just a little more you on that specific day.
How I Came Upon Them
I was completely burnt out. Frazzled. Every time I turned around, I felt the urge to hide from all my responsibilities. I kept saying, "I just need a day off." But when I finally had the time to calm my mind, I wasn’t really resting.
I would end up mopping the floor, or worse—just sitting there, swirling in thoughts of everything I should be doing. I wanted to take a break. I really did. But the guilt was overwhelming. If I paused, I felt like I wasn’t being a good mother, a good housewife, writer, or a good homeschool teacher.
I know you might not hold those same roles, but I’m sure you’ve felt this too—the weight of believing that if you stop, everything will fall apart.
I thought that if I really took a break, all those responsibilities would just disappear. But, of course, they didn’t. Because every break I took was filled with guilt instead of peace.
The Turning Point: Finding Permission to Rest
In my previous blog post, I shared something powerful that my therapist told me:
"If God could take a break on the seventh day, then you can take a break too."
That realization stayed with me. And then I thought about how the earth rests too.
During winter, deciduous trees lose their leaves and pause. They slow down, conserve energy, and simply be. And then, when spring arrives, they stand tall again—strong, full of life, with bright green leaves and even blossoms.
If the earth can take a break and come back even stronger, then why wouldn’t I feel more rejuvenated after taking time to truly rest too?
But What Was Holding Me Back?
I just didn’t know how to take a break.
Yes, really—I didn’t know how. I’m not someone who watches a lot of TV, mostly because the guys are usually watching YouTube or PBS Kids. So, I’ve never been into many shows... though I would like to try watching The Rookie someday. It looks funny!
But I realized that I needed to find ways to pause that actually felt good to me. Not just a break where I sat there feeling guilty, but something that made me feel peaceful, creative, and calm.
So, I wrote down a list of coping skills—things that made me feel the way I wanted to during a break:
✨ Journaling
🎨 Painting
📖 Creating Junk Journals or Art Journals
🖋️ Writing for my blog
🎮 Playing Minecraft
🖌️ Making stickers and using them in the journals I create
🎭 Coloring pages
How I Learned to Use My Coping Skills to Create a Blissful Break
I started setting a specific time to relax after any big activity that took a lot of energy—moments when I felt completely drained. I would sit down and choose a coping skill that felt right for that moment. Sometimes it was just about calming my mind, but other times, I needed something to help me regain my confidence after a challenging task.
What Continued to Worry Me?
Even with a plan, I kept feeling on edge. I was waiting—waiting for my son to need me, for my husband to call, or for my phone to buzz with the next demand for my attention. And so instead of fully resting, I would just sit there... tense.
How I Shifted My Breaks (and Brought My Son Along)
So, I tried something new: I included my son in my breaks.
I’d invite him to sit beside me with his own reward—playing a game or doing something fun after he had finished his lessons. I also made a small but powerful change: I put my phone on vibrate. Somehow, the absence of those constant bells and whistles made my break feel quieter and calmer.
Something surprising happened.
With my son next to me, we started talking—really talking. About life, about his day, about little things that mattered to both of us. It felt... gentle. Natural. And in that softness, I realized I could relax.
I even discovered I could practice ballet while he stayed nearby. And instead of distracting me, he cheered me on. 💖
How Did I Feel After Starting These Breaks?
I felt amazing. Whether I happened to be alone or sharing that quiet space with my son, the breaks became something I looked forward to—not just a pause, but a moment of peace.
My relationship with my son became closer—calmer, sweeter, and more connected. The swirling thoughts started to fade. The burnout began to lift.
And then something wonderful happened: I started writing again. ✨ I created so many stickers I actually ran out of ink—LOL! I started to feel...fantastic.
How Has It Changed My Productivity?
I know what you’re probably thinking, deers—How could I possibly get anything done while taking breaks like that?
And yes, during my busiest days, I’ve taken a full 45-minute break. 😲Go ahead, I’ll wait while you catch your breath. I know that sounds wild.
But here's the thing: People who work outside the home get a 30-minute to an hour-long lunch break, right? I don’t get that luxury. I’m always "working" through my lunch. LOL. So, I figured—why not give myself the same grace?
And guess what?
I’ve actually felt more productive.
Yes! I know it sounds impossible, but it’s true.
I’m sitting in my comfy chair right now, writing this while my son chats away about the latest build in his Sniffer World on Minecraft. I’m calm. Focused. I can feel my mind clearing—and I’m almost done with my break.
The next thing on my list? Teaching my son.
Normally, that moment would’ve been pure chaos—him overwhelmed, me overwhelmed, everyone stressed. But today? I’m calm. I know what’s next.
It’s not perfect, of course. But you know what has helped?
When I invite my son to take a break with me for just a few minutes—sitting together, being present—he’s so much more open to learning afterward. Even more than when I offer a reward for finishing.
He’s even started asking for these breaks himself.
Can you believe it? It actually happens! LOL.
So, What is Next?
I think you should start by taking a 10-minute break. It's the perfect size to start with. It's not so big that you panic it is going to create havoc during the rest of your busy day. I know you would. I did the first time. And was it an intentional break? Nope.
So, set your timer and yes it can be the timer on your microwave if that's all you have. Then do something that brings you joy. And when your mind starts to look at the to-do list, flip it over and smile. Yes, smile! It creates a new start to your break over again.
Now go. Be Safe. Know That You Are Not Alone.
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