About to clap back? Take a breath.
We’ve all been there. When a snarky email hits your inbox, a vague text throws off your whole vibe, or a social post makes you raise an eyebrow (and maybe your blood pressure), suddenly, your thumbs are moving faster than your brain. But before you hit send, let’s hit pause, take a breath, and try something different.
The Habit: Inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4—it’s called the 4-4-4 breath, and it’s popular for a reason. Repeat it once, twice, or a few times if needed. This little technique signals your nervous system to shift gears to cool, calm, and collected.
The Move: Start using this breath as your buffer. You’ll be surprised how much clarity shows up when you give emotion a moment to settle and your mind a chance to lead.
The Energy: Taking a moment to pause means putting action to intention. You’re choosing your words instead of letting them choose you. It’s emotional fluency and inner poise… the kind of energy that says: “Yes, I could go off... but I’d rather go forward.”