A Reflection From the Desert
A quiet desert sunset, holding space for stillness and reflection.
I’ve been spending some time in the desert. Being out here has made a few things clearer—especially what life can feel like after a toxic relationship.
The Shift After It Ends
After a relationship like that ends, things change in a way you don’t always expect. Life gets quieter. There’s less tension, less reacting, less explaining. That can feel like relief, but it can also feel strange. Your body has been used to being on alert for a long time, so even when things calm down, it takes a while to adjust.
You might still feel tired. Or unsure. Or like you’re waiting for something to happen. That’s normal.
Learning to Sit With the Quiet
The desert is quiet in a way that takes getting used to. At first, it can feel empty. But the longer you sit there, the more you notice what’s already around you.
Healing after a toxic relationship can feel similar. Your phone might be quieter. Your circle might be smaller. Your days might feel slower. It can make you wonder if something is missing, when really you’re just not living in constant stress anymore.
Healing Is Often Subtle
Healing doesn’t usually look like big moments or major breakthroughs. It looks like pausing instead of reacting. Saying no without explaining. Feeling tired and letting yourself rest.
After being on edge for so long, your nervous system needs time to settle. That doesn’t happen all at once. Sometimes doing less is part of healing.
Letting Things Take Time
The desert doesn’t rush anything. It doesn’t force growth. Things happen when they’re ready. Healing works the same way. There’s no timeline for feeling better. No pressure to “move on.” You don’t have to have everything figured out right now.
Taking things one step at a time is enough.
What It Starts to Feel Like
Eventually, the quiet becomes…normal.You’re not constantly on guard. You feel steadier day to day. You trust yourself aging isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about feeling more ease being you.
A Simple Reminder
If this season feels calm but unfamiliar, you’re not doing anything wrong.
You’re adjusting. You’re settling. You’re finding your footing again. That matters.
A Moment to Reflect
What are you learning about yourself in the quiet?
