It feels cliché to hear someone tell you to “stop and smell the roses.” It’s the kind of line you skim past in a self-help book, not something you’re actually going to do. I mean, I don’t have time for that — I need to get my LinkedIn connections to 500+ and make sure my GPA stays up.
Although I’m just teasing, I’ve realized here in Durban how small my problems are. I’ve been able to take a step back and finally find out just how sweet the smell of those roses could be.
I recall one sleepy morning when my friend Ava and I woke up early to watch the sunrise on the beach. I expected it to be just us —maybe a few surfers, a local or two. So, imagine my surprise to see dozens of people already there, sitting quietly, jogging, stretching, drinking their coffee as the sky shifted colors. And it hit me: People really are living life to the fullest.
They’re making time and holding space — all while I haven’t even been giving myself five minutes just to be.
The fact of the matter is there’s truly something fulfilling about learning to take a step back. Through early morning beach runs, getting to know my coworkers on a deeper level, finding a yummy new food spot, and so much more, this city has reminded me to look up, pause, and truly appreciate what’s around me.
Not because it’s aesthetic or because someone on Instagram told me to romanticize my life, but because it brings me genuine joy.
We talk a lot about “doing it all,” but I don’t think that should be the goal. You don’t need to chase every opportunity just because it exists, but you can build a life that has everything you want in it. One that isn’t off a checklist. One that is full, meaningful, and truly yours.
Balance is possible. Work and play can coexist if we don’t get caught up chasing things that don’t matter. And sometimes, the best way to move forward is to slow down and take everything in, one step at a time.
When I first got to Durban, I was completely exhausted. We had flown in just a few days before, and now we were hopping onto a van for a seven-hour car ride to our final destination. I was completely wiped out.
But despite being cranky and delirious upon arrival, I noticed something about the city felt grounding almost immediately. Even though this was my first time in South Africa, I didn’t experience the kind of culture shock I’ve felt in other places.
Instead of hitting me with a wave of unfamiliarity, Durban eased me in. The people are warm, speak directly, and have this unbothered ease in how they move through the world. The pace here is slower—in the best way. There’s a casualness to life here that challenged my internal clock in a way I’ve grown to appreciate.
Over the weeks, our “normal” days began to take shape. My travel days started to look like a day in the life. My day-to-day routine consisted of interning at the Legal Resources Centre, followed by a quick stop at The Barn Owl Café to do some extra work (or, let’s be honest, grab a scone), and then heading home to either hit the gym, cook dinner, or just unwind.
There’s one day in particular that really stuck with me and solidified how taking time to pause is the best way to live. Our office was closed, so it was a work-from-home day, and my coworker, Raven, and I posted up at The Barn Owl Café. We had become regulars there by this point.
The café staff knew our names, our routine, and would leave us little surprises here and there — like a flower to garnish our food — just showing they appreciated our company. So, we would often end up staying most of the day, working through breakfast and lunch, and this day was no different.
After all, to be known is to be loved, so this made it the perfect spot to let loose while working.
After we wrapped up, we popped over to Wilson’s Wharf to book a whale-watching tour for the next day, but in the spirit of embracing the pause, we ended up lingering. We sat, people-watched, and saw the boats drift in and out as the sun shone down and the water glistened.
It felt like the kind of moment you’d usually pass through on the way to the next thing — but this time, we let the afternoon stretch. We didn’t rush to fill it or make it productive.
Though it may sound like something small, for me, that moment of taking it all in was everything.
Still riding that feeling, we weren’t quite ready to head home. From there, we wandered over to the Durban Botanic Gardens. At first, we thought we’d just stroll around and leave — you know, check it off the list, maybe get a photo or two.
But somehow, we ended up on the most chaotic and amazing guided tour. Our guide had us climbing trees, sniffing cinnamon bark, and taking the most random but weirdly good photos. We were quite literally smelling the roses — and it was the best.
Of course, most of my days aren’t that jam-packed. But that’s kind of the point. This whole experience has been about finding balance and learning to be okay with slowing down.
I’ve always been someone who says yes to things, and I love jumping into new experiences. But I fall victim to the future. I’m already thinking about the next step while I’m still in it — mentally managing time or wondering if I’m “making the most” of it.
Here, I’ve learned to stop doing that. Saying yes doesn’t have to come with pressure. Like that whole afternoon, it can just be fun — no strings attached.
There hasn’t been one singular “moment of awe” for me. All of this has culminated in a collection of small, grounding realizations:
How lucky am I to be tired from work I care about? How lucky am I to have routines to break out of? To have places to be and people to meet? How lucky am I to be stressed because I’m balancing meaningful things?
If you’re thinking about studying abroad —especially somewhere like South Africa — and you’re unsure, lean in. The best things I’ve experienced on this trip came from saying yes and embracing the moment.
Time doesn’t have to be your enemy; it’s actually your biggest helping hand.
It was never about needing more time — it was about learning how to use it wisely.
This post was contributed by Chakavak G Ebrahimi, a Global Ambassador for Summer 2025. Chakavak is a sophomore studying abroad in South Africa
