Still Breathing? Good. Now Let’s Start Living
The world is a mess. 2025 came in swinging like it had something to prove, and most of us are just trying to stay upright. But survival isn’t enough. We need to live. To laugh. To detach from the chaos and reconnect with ourselves and each other.
It’s time to take a break—literally. Whether for a weekend, an afternoon, or just a few stolen hours, we need moments of joy, rest, and real human connection. Because if we don’t step off this spinning wheel, what the hell are we even doing?
This isn’t about mindless self-care trends or some shallow ‘treat yourself’ philosophy that makes corporations richer while we stay exhausted. This is about the simple, real, and human ways we can show up for ourselves and the people we love. Let’s break it down.
For Individuals: Finding Solitude & Reclaiming Joy
Solo Day Trip to Nowhere – Gas up, turn off the notifications, and just drive. Pick a small town, a beach, a mountain trail—hell, even a roadside diner you’ve never tried. Be present. Eat slow. Breathe deep.
Library & Coffee Ritual – Escape to the quietest place in town, get lost in words, and sip something warm. No agenda, just the pleasure of a good story.
Nature Immersion – Hike. Walk. Sit under a damn tree and watch the world move. Nature doesn’t rush, and neither should you.
Personal Art Retreat – Doodle. Paint. Write poetry in a tattered notebook. Creativity is the best therapy that no one talks about.
Night Drive & Old Music – Put on the songs that remind you who you were before life knocked you around. Drive with the windows down. Let yourself feel.
For Couples: Reigniting the Connection
Unplugged Weekend Getaway – No work emails, no social media, no doom-scrolling. Just the two of you, a cabin, some wine, and the kind of conversations that go past 2 AM.
Secret Love Notes Challenge – Hide handwritten notes in each other’s things. Sweet, spicy, or downright filthy—just something to make them smile.
Spontaneous Dance Night – Turn your living room into a dance floor. Salsa, slow dance, or grind like it’s ‘99 again. Let go.
Cozy Bookstore Date – Pick a book for each other, grab coffee, and spend the evening lost in pages and conversation.
Recreate Your First Date – Nostalgia is a powerful thing. Go back to where it all started and remember why you chose each other in the first place.
For Families: Building Core Memories
Backyard Camping – No need for an expensive trip. Set up a tent, tell ghost stories, and cook s’mores over a fire pit (or the stove—we’re not picky).
DIY Science & History Day – Museums, science centers, or even just a backyard volcano experiment. Teach the kids that learning isn’t just for school.
Cooking Together – Choose a dish, cook together, and make a mess. Food is love, and so is laughing over failed recipes.
Game Night With Stakes – Monopoly, Uno, or Spades—but make it serious. Winner gets a week of no chores.
Generational Storytelling Night – Let the elders tell their stories. Record them. Pass them down. We are our ancestors’ wildest dreams, and we need to honor that.
Why This Matters: A Call to Action
This isn’t just about ‘fun activities.’ This is about reclaiming what it means to be human. We have become too disconnected, too tired, too numb. The world thrives when we actually see each other—not as strangers, not as enemies, but as fellow souls trying to make it through.
The real revolution starts with us. With how we love, how we gather, and how we choose to spend our time.
And if you need guidance on how to capture these moments?
My ebook, Capturing Life: A Guide to Living & Remembering, walks you through how to document these memories so they don’t fade into the blur of everyday life. Because what’s the point of a beautiful moment if you can’t hold onto it?
America won’t fix itself. The world won’t heal overnight. But we can start by taking care of each other, loving each other better, and reclaiming our stolen joy.
Take the damn break. Make the memories. Live before it’s too late.
🔗 Relevant & Current Resources That Inspire Action, Not Excuses:
The Nap Ministry – Rest as Resistance
A movement founded by Tricia Hersey encouraging Black people and the overworked to reclaim rest as a form of resistance and healing.
🌐 https://thenapministry.comCreative Mornings – Free Inspiration for Creatives Worldwide
Global breakfast lectures and community for creatives featuring themes like courage, curiosity, and identity. Real people, real ideas.
🌐 https://creativemornings.comOn Being with Krista Tippett – Conversations That Matter
Deep, soulful interviews on life, creativity, justice, and human connection. Featuring poets, activists, and visionaries.
🌐 https://onbeing.orgThe Human Library – Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover
You literally “check out” a person and listen to their story. A brilliant project for connection, empathy, and unlearning bias.
🌐 https://humanlibrary.orgPoets & Writers – Writing Prompts & Submission Opportunities
For the creatives who don’t know where to begin. This is a haven for pushing the envelope through words and expression.
🌐 https://www.pw.orgCapturing Life – A Guide to Living & Remembering
There’s really no excuse, let me help you get started on an amazing adventure filled with surprises and jovial ah-ha moments. Build memories one laugh, simple moment, and photo op at a time.
📖 Available on February83.com.
