Dear Once Upon a Time,

Life moves fast, doesn’t it? Somewhere between chasing dreams, meeting deadlines, and checking off endless to-do lists, we forget about the little things that once brought us joy. The book that’s been collecting dust on your shelf, the journal that once held your thoughts, the quiet moments with a warm cup of tea—when did we start leaving them behind?

I know you’re busy. I know the world demands so much of you. But I also know that you deserve to slow down. To pause. To breathe. To find joy in the things that once made you feel alive.

For me, that joy has been in picking up my Kindle again. It had been sitting in a drawer, untouched, filled with books I once started but never finished. But now, I’m making my way through them, page by page, rediscovering the magic I had set aside. I had forgotten how it feels to get lost in a book, to have characters become friends, to turn “just one more page” until I realize it’s way past bedtime.

Joy doesn’t always come in grand achievements or milestone moments. Sometimes, it’s in the smallest things—the satisfaction of finishing another book, the way sunlight hits your favorite reading spot, the first sip of coffee as you settle in with a story.

You don’t need permission to reclaim these moments. They belong to you.

So, here’s your gentle reminder: slow down. Make time for the things that nourish your soul. Find the joy in the small things again. Life will keep moving, but you have the power to pause and savor it.

With warmth,
The Reader Who Was Forced To Slow Down