LET THE RAIN WASH IT AWAY: A SELF-COMPASSIONATE REFLECTION

 

Let It Rain - 
Photo by Lisa Fotios: https://www.pexels.com

It was one of those mornings, the kind where the world feels heavy, yet serene all at once. I pulled back the curtain and opened the window. A gentle rain was falling outside, tapping rhythmically against the leaves and softening the air.

I love the rain. There’s something soothing, almost therapeutic, about the way it refreshes everything it touches. But that morning, my gratitude for the rain came with an extra layer of relief. It provided me with a perfectly acceptable excuse to skip my usual Sunday power walk, something I ordinarily enjoy, but not today.

Instead, I let myself collapse back into the bed, pulling the soft, white duvet over me like a protective shield. The comfort of its familiar embrace felt grounding in a way I desperately needed. But without asking for permission, my thoughts took over, replaying the previous night’s events with an unkind persistence. That sinking feeling I’d tried to ignore started rising again, bringing with it a weight I couldn’t shake.

Also read: Why Healing Your Past Is the Key to True Growth

And then came the narratives. You know the ones... those exaggerated mental stories that take a small ember of frustration or sadness and stroke it into a full-fledged inferno. Old memories tied to similar emotions started to pile on, as if my mind were throwing dry twigs and gasoline onto the fire.

“Urgh,” I groaned aloud, hiding my face in the pillow. I wanted to escape this self-inflicted chaos, but my thoughts had other plans.

It was then that I decided to fight back—gently, of course. I breathed deeply and began to watch the feelings rather than fight them. Observing them like a curious outsider, I started to question their roots. What had really happened last night? And why was I so triggered by something so small?

As I lay there, pieces of the puzzle began falling into place. The answer wasn’t so much about last night but rather how deeply ingrained emotions from the past had sneaked in, hijacking my calm. And then it hit me: I grabbed my phone and checked the calendar. Ah, there it was—the monthly hormonal cycle. If you know, you know. It’s nature’s uninvited reminder that, no matter how zen we try to be, sometimes our biological rhythms have their say.

Also read: Adopting This Lifestyle Boosts My Healing Journey

At that moment, I decided to stop fighting the feelings, the overthinking, all of it. Instead, I chose acceptance: acceptance of my emotions, acceptance of my biology, and even acceptance of my overactive imagination. I let myself feel every bit of it while grounding myself in the soothing energy of the rain, nature’s silent ally.

By surrendering instead of resisting, I found a tiny pocket of peace. The rain outside seemed to echo my shift. It was as though the universe had sent this gentle storm to cleanse not only the earth but also my tangled-up emotions. The steady rhythm of raindrops felt like a reassurance that, sometimes, it’s okay to slow down, reflect, and just be.

This unexpected pause turned out to be more valuable than any power walk could have been. It reminded me that self-compassion isn’t just about bubble baths and treats (though those have their place, too). It’s also about giving yourself permission to feel, to question, and ultimately, to release.

So, for anyone who needs it: Life’s storms, whether external or internal, aren’t always something to run from. Sometimes, they’re an invitation to lean in, to find stillness, and to connect with ourselves a little deeper. And, if you’re lucky, they come with a little rain to wash it all away.