The hot water greets my body as I step into the deep, white, freestanding tub; the Insight Timer music by Chris Collins fills my ears; my whole being exhales as I welcome in these layers of peace.

Each joint relaxes, my neck relaxes into the bathtub pillow from a thoughtful friend; the scent of lavender epsom salts will the bathroom with peace and tranquillity. This is my refuge, one of my happy places to restore my body and my soul. The stresses of life and everyone else’s energy fades away for a bit. The bickering children (that I’m concerned for, hoping that they’re processing all the life changes they’re experiencing right now, that our conversations around the hard parts of life are enough to carry them through) are now quiet in their rooms. I’ve left thought breadcrumbs for work, knowing just where I’ll begin my Monday tasks, thus alleviating the need for work to play through my head. My darling husband watches Game of Thrones in the next room, filling his cup as I fill my own.

All the to dos and expectations fade and I’m left to notice the deeply restful music in my ears and the gentle rise and fall of my breath, the magic of the water dancing on my skin, soaking in peace and gratitude for this moment.