It's that time of the year when stillness is hard to find. Life becomes more chaotic and mindfulness is hard to practice. Living in a world that never stops moving and an environment where deadlines are runners of the day, it's almost hard to not explode with it all. Exams are drawing nearer by the day and with it comes the last minute rush where everyone is struggling to meet up with deadlines, projects and assignments. Of course, I almost slipped into panic mode like every other of my course mates but I realized something. I have been here before and I know how this cycle goes. And I know that if I do not slow down and be mindful, I might break from physical and mental exhaustion. So, I drafted out ways to live intentionally, stay mindful and be still amidst the chaos.

Lewa was doing the dishes when “All of Me” by John Legend blared from her phone speaker. She barely paused to rinse the suds from her hands before rushing to answer. Only one person had that ringtone. It was Clinton, her boyfriend.

Sometimes, I sit and just think about it—minimalism.Not the kind that’s all white walls and empty counters. The kind that lives in the small, quiet parts of life. To me, minimalism is living on purpose. It’s paying attention. It’s choosing to see beauty in the everyday things. It’s living without the pressure to impress or explain. It’s doing things because they feel right, not because they look right.

When I think about how I spend my entertainment or relaxation time, I honestly can’t say I lean more into books than movies—or vice versa. I’ve always walked the line between the two, never fully devoting myself to one camp. Some days I’m deep in a fictional universe, flipping pages like my life depends on it. Other days, I’m curled up watching a movie, totally immersed in someone else’s imagination. I guess you could say I like to balance both worlds.

Everyday, I think about tiny but grand gestures that pass us by unnoticed. Once you truly look for them though, you can find them everywhere. Like when you sneeze and a random someone tells you, “Bless you” which in essence means “Don't die”. The friendly vendor who sells pastries at school always slips in an extra bun for you because you are her favorite customer.

Fear to Jola was the whispers of chill air that caressed her skin whenever the clouds darkened. Fear was the pitter-patter or the sound of the thundering of rain on rooftops. Fear was the howl of the wind whenever the rain beat the earth.