Being a beginner teaches us to be patient with ourselves. To stay curious when we're uncomfortable. To stay present when outcomes are unclear.

A few weeks ago, I was having dinner with friends when one of them shared her personal challenge: to try something new each month. As she recounted the experiences she had pursued so far this year, I felt admiration rise—and then something else.

We hear a lot about self-care—eat well, sleep, meditate. These things matter. But sometimes, what we need isn’t more advice or another routine. What we need is a deeper way of relating to ourselves.

Life moves quickly. Between work, relationships, and the daily demands of living, there’s often little space to pause.