Even through the blaring beats of K. Flay in my AirPods, I can hear the clanking of the weights set after set. The smell of the rubber composite floor is an all too familiar and welcomed aroma that both feeds my ambitions and quiets my worries. I’m alone, sans one fellow lunch gym rat— the source of the clanking weight stack.

It’s my recovery day. Notice the intentionality of my words “recovery day” in lieu of any other linguistic arrangement that may express emotions of personal insecurities of being too lax taking a day off from working out. 

In truth, stretching, relaxing, reflection are the more difficult tasks of my week with regards to my personal health. So here I sit—tunes blaring, the cold composite floor in contact with my recovering muscles while I quiet my brain from overthinking about life, direction, meaningful impact and the expansive ‘to-do’ list of my Monday morning. 

Quieting the world around you to listen to your body and your innermost self is the one weekday ‘to-do’ that should take priority. Find a spot. Find a moment. Happy Monday.