I found myself whispering in the house after everyone went to sleep, as if even my voice needed to rest

Dear Delyara, There was no need to whisper. No one was awake. And still, the body had already shifted into that softer register, as if loudness itself had become too much after a whole day of tone, conversation, requests, and the steady friction of human closeness. I made tea quietly. Closed cupboards carefully. Set the spoon down gently. I think rest is not always a nap or a night off. Sometimes it starts with volume. With less force. With the whole body saying: please, nothing more should enter me loudly now.