A potted fern grows inside an open worn suitcase on a mustard surface.

Original artwork, not a still

Roger Ebert

I must slow down now, which is why I’m taking what I like to call “a leave of presence.”

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

A twist on 'leave of absence'. Swapping in 'presence' turns stepping back into something positive: slowing down while staying engaged and attentive. It's a gentle, witty way to describe pulling back from a hectic pace without disappearing entirely.

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