To cultivate quiet in the chaos, I am doubling down on my soul-centered habits, saying no even more than I usually do, and limiting exposure to things that make me feel crazy. This is a daily practice that I’m not always perfect at, but it’s when I’m most consistent and committed with these things that I feel more connected to myself, am better to the people around me and experience more effortless writing.
Meditation & Journaling
I make sure to keep inner chaos at bay by writing it all down and sitting quietly every morning. Protect a little space for yourself before checking email or starting your day to do things that help you feel calm. It will help you move through your day with more intention and grace.
Saying No
Aside from regular planned work projects, I’m saying no to almost everything else. That includes interview requests, invitations to collaborate on new projects, and still saying no to the usual advertising or promotional inquiries.
When we create boundaries around things that distract us from what matters, our level of engagement in what we care about becomes boundless. Say no more often to protect your health, your heart, and what matters most to you. Here’s how.
Walking
Walking every day with no particular destination in mind helps me to do even more mind clearing, and heart connecting. I usually don’t feel like breaking away from work to go outside and walk, but every time I do, I come back more focused, more creative, and more productive.
Get outside and take a walk. Don’t worry about your steps, your speed, or where you are going. Just walk.
Yoga
With all of the Tiny Wardrobe Tour travel, I fell away from my regular yoga practice. It was so nice to get back to it this week, and I plan to attend 2 classes a week and practice on my own. I learn so much from my yoga teachers, and practicing something I love with other people fuels my body and soul.
Connect
While I’m not making new connections right now, I am cozying up with my people. I plan to spend time with people who make me smile, and then make them smile right back. More love. More love. More love.
Smoothies
Greens ground me and starting the day with a few servings of spinach, kale, and all the other fruits and veggies I include in my favorite smoothie helps me to focus.
New noise
Sometimes the best way to drown out the noise is to create new noise. I’ve been listening to classical music while I write.
Limit input
No news. No personal Facebook interacting. Go internet-lite.
Under-react
I will feel my feelings, but instead of knee-jerk reactions, I’m just going to be open and curious. I’ll react when my reaction will be helpful in lifting someone up, or making a deeper connection. I’m not interested in convincing anyone to think the way I do, or being controversial for the sake of being controversial.
I practice all of these things from time to time, but right now, they are all in full force helping me to cultivate quiet in the chaos.
What do you do to cultivate quiet in the chaos? How do you create more peace in your life?
I love this Courtney. I have been feeling lately like I need something to help me re-direct my focus to the things that really matter and I have found some great tips in here.I definitely plan on limiting internet usage, getting back to an exercise routine and starting my day with some greens. Thank you !
Under react – what a great tip because it helps yourself and those around you. If everyone did this the world would be a happier place.
Thank-you for this. I too like the ‘under-react’ The chaos and unsettled feelings for me come when I am connected to near-constant news and speculation. Whilst not wishing to disengage, I’m cultivating quiet by limiting the amount/frequency of news/newspapers I hear and read, and by sitting outside wrapped up warm watching the clouds scud across the sky and the last of the leaves fall.
Walking, severely limiting Facebook and news, fire (bonfire or in the fireplace.
I’ve been choosing to “under-react” also. Some days I’m better at it than others, but I keep trying…
Loved how you said this, Courtney -> “When we create boundaries around things that distract us from what matters, our level of engagement in what we care about becomes boundless. Say no more often to protect your health, your heart, and what matters most to you.”
I do tai chi three days a week, 2 hours at a time plus a 50-minute roundtrip commute each time. It’s a big commitment, but so worth it. I live in a natural setting so I’m luck as peace and quiet are part of my everyday backdrop.
Clean whole food is my cure. For me that’s lean beef, fish, pork, and fresh green vegetables cooked simply. No sauces, few spices.
Days are started with fruit smoothies made from unsweetened frozen and fresh fruits with only a splash of unsweetened green tea to blend. Nothing else added.
I set aside time to meditate after lunch at work and before bed at my home altar, (big fan of the calm.com app!), spend 15 minutes whenever possible in the sun, eat healthy 90% of the time, (including a regular dose of dark chocolate), and I listen to soothing music like Enya or Steve Halpern. I also regularly practice breathing exercises I learned from Dr. Andrew Weil. They have done wonders to ease my anxiety and help me settle into quiet mode when I am stressed.
A much needed post. Thanks, Courtney. My quiet comes when I go swimming, which sadly falls by the wayside when stress and anxiety take over. I also read fun, light fiction. And, of course, writing whether it be fiction or in my journal, grounds me. However, when things are chaotic it’s really hard to do these things that are good for me.