There’s a certain peace that comes with the feeling of being stuck indoors during a snowstorm. The kind of peace that settles in when you know you can’t go anywhere, and even if you wanted to, you couldn’t. It’s like the world has forced you to slow down. But why does it take a snowstorm to make us feel like it’s okay to relax? Why do we need something like that to stop us from feeling the pressure to be constantly doing something?
The storm outside is so bad that it reassures you—no one will expect anything of you. You’re free from obligations. It’s a cozy feeling to curl up on the couch with a blanket and a pillow, watching TV, knowing you’re not missing out on anything. There’s a sense of relief in the snow’s stillness. The heavy snowfall makes it impossible to go anywhere or do anything outside, and in that, there’s a moment of real relaxation.
I think that same kind of peace happens when you’re sick. When you have a cold or some illness that forces you to stay in bed for a few days, there’s an undeniable sense of relief that comes with knowing no one will ask anything of you. The world slows down, and you get the time to yourself that you didn’t even realize you needed. But why do we need to be sick for that to happen? Why does it take illness to finally feel like it’s okay to just be, to finally feel resolved and at ease?
It reminds me of when you were a kid and sprained an ankle or hurt yourself in some way, and suddenly everyone is nice to you, offering sympathy. You’d get to rest, and no one would expect you to do anything for anyone. You’d feel free from the usual pressure of being needed. But why should it take an injury for people to be kind, for us to get a break? It’s like we need something external to remove that pressure.
Think about the feeling when you unexpectedly get a day off from work or school—a snow day or an unplanned sick day. It’s almost like a bonus day, one that feels more relaxed than a planned vacation. Why is that? Maybe it’s because something unexpected has happened, and the usual expectations are gone. You can’t run errands or take care of your to-do list because the circumstances simply won’t allow it.
I wish we didn’t need these external forces, like snowstorms or illness, to give us permission to slow down. When everything’s fine—when the weather’s nice and we’re healthy—it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of things that need doing. There’s laundry, errands, bills, all piled up and screaming for attention. It can feel overwhelming, and the thought of relaxing seems impossible because there’s always something more pressing. We need to create those moments of rest without waiting for something to force us into them. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all just slow down, even when the world is moving at full speed?
Coffee & a Playlist 