Life at Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts can be a whirlwind of creativity and deadlines. Sometimes, amidst this flurry of action, we all forget the simplest yet most transformative tool we have at our disposal - a pause.

Taking a breather, grounding ourselves, and reassessing our situation can be as powerful as the most epic soprano note or the most vibrant paint stroke.

Beccy and Lindsey's 'pause and breathe' philosophy has been a game-changer here. We often remind each other to step back, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves.

Faced with an intimidating to-do list?

Hit the pause button. Break down that big, scary task into manageable portions. Beccy's a pro at this. Lindsey's secret weapon? She grounds herself by simply wiggling her toes, reminding her body that it’s right here, right now.

The art of the pause isn’t about shirking work or delaying it.

Instead, it’s about regaining control when things seem to spin out of control. It's about setting boundaries and understanding that not everything needs our attention at the same moment. It's about making space to be present and tuned in.

What’s even better? This pause button comes with some pretty awesome features.

Square breathing is a super simple yet effective method to calm your mind and body. It’s just four steps: inhale (whilst counting to 4), hold your breath (another 4 count), exhale (for 4 counts), and hold your breath again (yup, you guessed it - 4 counts). Rinse and repeat for a few minutes, and you might feel your mind becoming more focused.

Then there are grounding techniques. These are lifesavers during those high-stress moments. One favourite is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: name five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. Instant mindfulness.

But here's the cool part: there's no 'right' way to pause or breathe or ground yourself.

Everyone's different, and it's all about finding what clicks for you. Play around with different techniques. Maybe you prefer to focus on the feeling of your clothes against your skin or breathing with visualization. Discover your own 'pause and breathe' rhythm.

Can you really just pause to breathe?

Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, pausing might not be possible. But remember, it's never too late to reflect and breathe. When the dust settles, take a moment to look back, breathe, and reassess. Use that reflection to inform your next steps, make positive changes, and to continue your journey with renewed clarity and confidence.

At the end of the day, taking a pause can transform not just our immediate situation but also our broader outlook on life. It promotes a positive mindset and can make us better artists, performers, and people. So go on, give it a shot. You might just surprise yourself.

Breathe!