Quiet Reflection Series #016-#020: A Small Pause to Come Back to Yourself
I genuinely like meeting people, going out, and doing things outside. And I also love coming back to quiet.
No plans. Just me at home — cuddling with my cat, taking a nap, waking up and thinking, ah… so nice. Or coming home, opening the door, and feeling: I’m alone. I can do whatever I want.
When life is busy with everyone’s responsibilities and roles, even one hour alone feels precious — almost luxurious because it’s rare.
And when things quiet down, I’m ready to take action again.
I’ve felt this for years. Back when I was a student in the U.S., Friday nights were often full of parties, movie nights, and plans.
Sometimes I joined and had a good time.
Sometimes I didn’t.
And on the nights I didn’t, coming home felt almost strangely thrilling — not loud excitement, but a deep, physical yes in my body.
It wasn’t only during my student years. Even after I started working, I still loved that kind of space. On weekends, I might take a drive with no agenda — pick up a favorite drink, look up at the sky, and let the day unfold slowly.
I loved that.
Why do I keep doing this?
Movement and quiet aren’t opposites. It’s not “I moved too much so now I have to shut down,” or “I’ve been too quiet so now I need to move myself into action.” (We all may experience that swing at some point — and that’s real.)
It’s more like a rhythm — seasons of movement and expansion, and seasons of quiet and return. I need and want both.
And honestly, some days there’s a lot of noise and distraction… lol. That’s when these reflection questions help:
notice → pause → choose → continue
This post is part of my weekly “Quiet Reflections” series on LinkedIn: one question per week, paired with a photo my dad took.
Every five questions, I collect them into a short blog edition—this is Edition 4.
Photo credit: Kyoji Saito
Previous editions
That’s also the intention behind Thrive Life Design: designing a thriving life that fits who we are, not who we’re trying to perform as.
A simple invitation
- Pick one question from the images.
- Answer it in three sentences.
- Then return to your day.
#016
#017
#018
#019
#020
About the Author
Chie Sawa is the founder of Thrive Life Design — a sanctuary for quiet, introspective leaders and visionaries in Japan.
Drawing from decades of experience in psychology and reflective practice, she now offers The Reflection Room, a non-clinical space for one-on-one conversations and intuitive tarot readings that help thoughtful professionals realign with clarity, confidence, and calm purpose.
