The Power of Pausing and Resetting: A Therapist’s Morning Reflection

On my way to work this morning, I was on the receiving end of unprovoked verbal abuse. The person who lashed out at me was likely having a bad morning and chose to discharge that frustration onto a stranger.

Although I understood it wasn’t about me, the impact was immediate; I felt my mood shift. By the time I arrived at the office, I knew I couldn’t simply walk into the day carrying that energy. I paused. I gave myself ten minutes to ground, breathe, and reset before stepping into my role as a therapist.

Why? Because if I hadn’t, I risked carrying that frustration forward and releasing it onto someone else who didn’t deserve it. That’s how negativity spreads - one person’s unprocessed pain rippling outward.

The good news is that it doesn’t have to be this way.
We all have the power to interrupt the cycle.

Sometimes, that means taking a short pause. A few deep breaths. A moment to check in with ourselves. It’s simple, but it makes all the difference - for you, and for everyone you interact with afterwards.

So, here’s the invitation: check yourself before you act. If you need ten minutes to reset, give yourself that gift. By doing so, you’re not just taking care of yourself - you’re creating a more compassionate atmosphere for everyone around you.  These practices give you space to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or knocked off balance - pause. Reflect. Reset.