This happened just a few months ago, and I was done.
I had just finished teaching class and was lying on the studio floor – head pressed to the hardwood, legs propped up on the wall.
My phone was awkwardly above my face, giving my friend a stellar view of my double chin on FaceTime.
“Ugh, I’m not okay,” I blurted out, my voice shaky. My eyes started to swell up.
“What’s going on, Oreet?” she asked, calm and steady, like she could tell I was about to burst into tears.
Honestly, I didn’t even know where to start.
2024 had kicked my ass. My energy was gone. Everything felt heavy – even the things I usually loved, like teaching, creating, building my business, yadda yadda.
It wasn’t just one thing – it was everything. Balancing work, family, teenagers (oof), the constant noise of politics, being there for my SharQui community, while barely being there for myself, managing a business that seemed to have more moving parts than I could count.
And let’s be real: the state of the world was not helping. Every time I scrolled through the news, it felt like another gut punch. The divisiveness, the bigotry, the attacks on communities – it all felt so personal. Like the world was shouting at me, “You shouldn’t exist.”
Look, I’m proud of what I’ve built – don’t get me wrong. But pride doesn’t exactly take the weight off your shoulders. I felt like I was carrying a boulder I couldn’t put down.
My friend just listened. No advice, no pep talk – just listened. Sometimes that’s all you need, someone to sit with you in your mess for a second.
When I finally stopped talking, I weirdly felt different. Like verbally unloading had lightened the load – even a little.
“Okay, Oreet,” she said, super gentle. “First of all, it’s okay to feel like this. You’re juggling a ridiculous amount right now, and you’re dealing with so much – personally, professionally, emotionally, politically – and it’s hard.
Tears started rolling. Her words felt like a hug I didn’t know I needed.
“You need a reset,” she went on. “Not just a random day off, but an actual reset. Something to remind you why you do this in the first place. And something to help you let go of the stuff that’s causing you mental anguish right now.”
I sniffled, skeptical but also a little intrigued. “And how exactly do I do that?”
“Start small,” she said. “What’s something weighing on you right now? Something you haven’t said out loud?”
I paused, then let it spill. “I love teaching. I love my community. But honestly, it’s all starting to feel… blah. I’m going through the motions. I don’t even prepare for classes anymore – I make myself create on the spot to keep it interesting, to test myself. But even that is starting to feel empty. And with everything happening in the world, it’s like, what’s the point? It feels like I’m screaming, and no one’s listening.”
She nodded, like she totally got it. “That’s tough. You love what you do, but it sounds like it’s not giving back to you right now. You’re pouring out everything, and nothing’s pouring back in.”
Boom. She hit the nail on the head.
“You need to take a real break. Not just a step back – like a full-on reset. No dance. Not even a little. Give yourself the space to miss it, to remember why you loved it in the first place. Let the joy find its way back on its own.”
No dance? It sounded… impossible. But also, kind of amazing.
That conversation flipped a switch. I mean, it didn’t magically fix everything, but it gave me permission to step back. To breathe. To focus on other things for a while. And you know what? After a bit, I started to feel it again – that spark, that joy. But I needed the space to let it happen.
So, in December I took a 10-day total reset. No dance, no watching the news. A combination of NYC, the beach during the winter, and spending time with good friends.
And you know what: the world didn’t stop spinning when I took that break. The fights for justice and equality didn’t end. But I came back stronger, clearer, and more ready to show up for the causes I care about and the people I love.
So, if you’re feeling stuck or over it, here’s your reminder: It’s okay to step away. It’s okay to take a break and let yourself miss the thing you love. Sometimes that’s the only way to fall back in love with it.
You deserve that. We all do. And when we take care of ourselves, we’re better equipped to take care of the world.
Here’s to resetting,
Oreet