Have you ever sat in front of your computer, clicking frantically on a frozen screen, feeling that rising heat of frustration in your chest? We have all been there. We try harder, click faster, and push more, only to find that the machine is more stuck than ever. There is a profound, quiet wisdom in Teresa of Avila's reminder that almost everything works again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. It suggests that our glitches, our burnout, and our moments of overwhelming stress aren't permanent failures, but rather signals that we have simply stayed connected to the power source for too long without a break.

In our modern, hyper-connected world, we often treat ourselves like smartphones that need to be running twenty-four seven. We juggle deadlines, social obligations, and endless notifications, believing that if we just keep moving, we will eventually reach a place of peace. But humans aren't designed for constant processing. When we ignore our need for downtime, we start to glitch. We become irritable, our creativity withers, and we lose sight of the joy that makes life worth living. We become like that frozen screen, stuck in a loop of unproductive anxiety.

I remember a time recently when I felt like my feathers were all ruffled and my spirit was completely drained. I was trying to manage too many projects at once, and I felt like I was running on empty. I kept pushing through the fatigue, thinking that if I just finished one more task, I would feel better. But I didn't. I felt more disconnected than ever. It wasn't until I physically stepped away, went for a slow walk in the park, and left my phone in another room that I felt the 'reboot' happening. That quiet moment of unplugging allowed my thoughts to settle and my energy to slowly trickle back in.

Taking a break isn't an act of laziness or an admission of defeat; it is a vital part of maintenance. It is an act of self-respect to recognize when your internal battery is blinking red. Whether it is a five-minute breathing exercise, a short nap, or a walk without any digital distractions, these moments of disconnection are actually what allow us to reconnect with our true selves and our purpose.

So, I want to gently invite you to look at your current state of mind. Are you feeling a bit frozen or stuck today? If so, please don't try to force your way through the glitch. Instead, give yourself permission to step away. Find your version of 'unplugging' and see how much clearer the world looks when you return.