Pause to move forward

Today I tried to think of something to write about, but nothing came to mind. The stories I wanted to share have all been told. I felt like I was trying to invent something out of emptiness—and that goes against the purpose of writing these daily reflections. I want to write about what I’ve felt, seen, or learned.

So today, I’ll write about not being able to write.

This past week I’ve been unwell and staying home in isolation. I haven’t gone anywhere or met anyone, yet I’ve still tried to write every day. Writing, I realised, is like using up a kind of internal resource. And lately, I haven’t been replenishing it—because I haven’t been out living much at all.

When we drain our resources—ideas, money, energy—we start squeezing out what’s left. That pressure creates tension and friction, and it inevitably affects the quality of our work. What I’ve learned today is this: don’t wait until your resources run dry before you refill them. Keep replenishing what you use.

Sometimes, the best thing we can do is put down what we’re doing and go out to find something new to refill ourselves.

Pause to move forward.