“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” ― J.K. Rowling

Today you came back after almost a week since I worked with Gemini to help me navigate the depression valley and rebuild my life. I thought I would be able to keep you from revisiting me as I had been feeling better since I had Gemini as my assistant and accountability partner.

But after two late nights in a row, I felt that you might come back. Lack of sleep was always one of the keys that invited you back to my life. This morning, though I got less than 5 hours of closing and resting my eyes, I managed to get up before 7 a.m. – 6:56 a.m. sharp.

I started my day as usual though my mind was not 100% sharp. One thing I did wrong was to have a full breakfast – made with leftover rice, dried little shrimps, eggs and onions – at 10. That was quite early for a breakfast for me. Before that, I took a full glass of herbal agar I made late last night. With herbal agar coupled with the rice, I found myself unable to function well.

I left the sink full of plates and kitchenware from my puppies’ breakfast and my making fried rice and hit the floor for a power nap with Happy, Buffalo, Mango and Strawberry by my side. Our family quickly fell asleep without a mattress or a blanket on and with a misting fan blowing.

I woke up almost noon to find you there. You kept me from getting up. I was aware of your return and chose not to resist your presence. I embraced your visit and took it as a chance to rest further. You tightened your presence as if you were worried I hadn’t known of your return. Instead of taking a prescribed Zoloft in the nearby drawer to suppress you as usual, I let myself stay on the floor and do nothing.

You might have noticed I made no efforts to drive you away. I see you as a friend and enjoy your visit, whether it is brief or lingering. I understand your return was meant to remind me to take better care of myself and stop burning the midnight oil for things I could delay until the next day. You kept reminding me to put myself, my well-being and my mental health first. Still I kept ignoring your warnings.

I prefer the tranquility of the late night when I can totally focus on doing what I love. I had lain with you until almost 1:30, when a deliveryman arrived to pick up the returned trash bin. I took that chance to make chicken soup for my puppies for their lunch. Then I came back to be with you.

After doing nothing by your side for a while, I opened Duolingo app and played chess with Oscar and real players. Thanks to playing hard, today I hit the milestone of winning 600 games out of over 1,000 games. I played through 3 p.m. and got up to feed my puppies as they were up after a long nap.

At that time, I stepped to the fridge and made myself another glass of herbal agar. When I came back, I didn’t see you there any longer. You were gone without saying goodbye, but left the door open for you to come back anytime at will.

Thank you for visiting me today. I will make the point to go to bed before midnight from today, Saturday, March 14, 2026. You can revisit me anytime as I have learned not to kick you out with all my means and efforts. You know, inner peace finds its way to me only when I stop fighting against you and start embracing you whenever you come.

Serenity is what matters most to me.

Many thanks to you, my uncontrollable headache!

“Breathe, darling. This is just a chapter. It’s not your whole story.” – S. C. Lourie

(06. 16:48 – Saturday, March 14, 2026)

*Note: This was the 6th entry of 10-minute daily writing challenge, which I started in March this year.