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Your mind, it’s racing.

One thing after another—deadlines, expectations, worries you can’t shake.

Stress doesn’t ask permission. It just barges in, tightens your chest, and fills your head with a whirlwind of what-ifs and what-abouts.

If you're reading this, maybe you're in the thick of it. Finals are around the corner. College and internship apps feel like they’re due yesterday. Your calendar’s bursting with extracurriculars, and that ever-present voice telling you to do more, be more, achieve more.

I get it. My days are a blur of deals to close, partnerships to build, and ideas to grow. The pressure mounts, and before I know it, my mind is racing, my breath is shallow, and anxiety has taken the wheel.

But what if I told you there's a simple, powerful way to quiet the chaos?

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But FIRST

If you are new, welcome to OCE’s weekly newsletter curated for the ambitious youth…here are some articles you missed from previous weeks:

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It’s something I picked up during my time in Vietnam—a moment of stillness in a world of noise. It’s called mindfulness meditation.

And no, it’s not about stopping your thoughts (spoiler: you can’t). It’s about noticing them, breathing through them, and letting them pass.

Here’s how it works:

1. Find a quiet spot. Sit or lie down—whatever feels comfortable.
2. Close your eyes and breathe. In through your nose for 4 counts, hold for 4, out through your mouth for 6. Repeat.
3. Notice what comes up. Maybe it’s worry, maybe it’s excitement. Whatever it is, let it be. Focus on the present.
4. Focus on the breath. Feel it. Follow it. Return to it when your mind drifts.

That’s it. Just 5 minutes a day can create space in your mind where there once was clutter.

The beauty of this practice is that it doesn’t demand perfection. Some days, my thoughts still race. But by showing up, by choosing to breathe instead of panic, I remind myself that I am in control—not my stress, not my deadlines, not the what-ifs.

Mindfulness meditation may sound simple, but trust me—it’s transformational. It’s my daily reset button, keeps me grounded. Maybe it can be yours too.

Give it a try tonight. And if it feels strange or awkward, know you’re not alone. But also know that this small, intentional act can make all the difference.

Quiet the noise. Find your calm.

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Lena

​https://www.openclassroomexperience.com/​

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