Here's a trick I've used: After I breathe in I don't breathe out intentionally, I just observe and enjoy the breath going out on its own. It is an enjoyable sensation not unlike what you experience diving under water and coming back to surface to breathe again. Same after I breathe out, I feel the natural desire to breathe in again and I just let it happen.

Not really pausing between changing the direciton of breath, but just observing how it feels good to breath in and out naturally, automatically. This means I am actually being aware that I enjoy breathing. And when you enjoy something, you don't need to think too much. Just enjoy it. It is also a great realization that I can enjoy life as long as I'm not in pain and I can breathe, and have enough time that I can focus on and experience that.