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May 29, 2025 3 mins

Through poetic reflection, Yrsa Daley-Ward helps us embrace the in-between moments, reminding us that the unknown can be the very terrain where real change begins.

  1. Settle into Stillness: Find a quiet space, get comfortable, and take a few slow breaths to arrive in the moment.
  2. Acknowledge the Unknown: Gently notice and name any uncertainty, confusion, or emotional fog you’re feeling without needing to fix it.
  3. Welcome the Silence: Allow the silence and stillness to be here, trusting it holds meaning even if it feels uncomfortable.
  4. Reflect with Gentle Words: Repeat silently or write: “To love yourself through the darkness is to plant gardens at night.”
  5. Feel Your Connection: Remember that many others are also sitting with uncertainty, and you are not alone in this experience.
  6. Close with Compassion: Offer yourself kindness through touch or words and affirm that this pause is part of your growth.

Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.

Today’s Happiness Break Guide:

YRSA DALEY-WARD is an award-winning poet and author. Her debut novel, The Catch, comes out June 3rd.
Learn more about Yrsa here: https://yrsadaleyward.squarespace.com/

Pre-order her book here: https://tinyurl.com/yanw6bb5

Related Happiness Break episodes:

Using Art As Medicine Series: https://tinyurl.com/k3mneupx

Making Space For You: https://tinyurl.com/yk6nfnfv

How To Awaken Your Creative Energy: https://tinyurl.com/4fknd8ev

Related Science of Happiness episodes:

Our Brains on Poetry: https://tinyurl.com/y9r9dyzd

How Art Heals Us: https://tinyurl.com/yc77fkzu

Are You Following Your Inner Compass: https://tinyurl.com/y2bh8vvj

Follow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPod

We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

Help us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aap

Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/234u5ds7

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