I’ve been feeling fragile and uneasy lately. With so much going on in the world, and in my personal life, it’s been a challenge to find peace. I know that so many of us have been riding the twists and turns of an emotional roller coaster. If you feel that, you are not alone.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes it feels like just one more thing might break me. Last week I dropped a glass and it shattered on the kitchen floor. Even though I knew it was really no big deal, I had a hard time getting over it. My responses to small, inconsequential incidents like this show me that peace is just harder for me to find these days. Is that true for you too?
I know we can’t single handedly create world peace, but it is possible to create peace within ourselves. And, after several years of what seems like one world crisis after another, finding inner peace is more than necessary right now!
Creating inner peace helps us function and I have some simple tools that I find very supportive. I hope you will too.
Tapping (EFT)
Recently a coach I’ve been working with reintroduced me to Tapping, or Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). I used to tap years ago but had gotten out of the habit and was so grateful when my coach started it with me again.
I’ve been doing tapping meditations at least once a day for several weeks now, and every time I tap I feel like I’m wrapping myself in a big warm hug. It’s calming, comforting, and brings me a lot of peace. Tapping is something I can do anywhere, at pretty much any time. Sometimes I even tap in my car while I’m waiting to pick up my kids from school.
One of the wonderful things about Tapping is that first you acknowledge and honor your feelings whatever they are. Part of the tapping process is accepting yourself no matter how you’re feeling. Once you’ve done that then you can release your feelings and bring in whatever you’d like to feel. It’s very powerful.
Have you tried Tapping? If you aren’t familiar with it, I highly recommend looking it up here and trying it out. It could be life changing!
Spend Time in Nature
I try to get outside as often as possible. Being outside is very grounding and calming for me. Most days a simple walk (or two) around my neighborhood has to suffice but when I have the time, the beach is my favorite place to be outside. It’s very healing and brings me peace.
Want an extra boost of peace? I recommend trying a tapping meditation at the beach. The combination of the sound of the waves and the tapping is incredibly calming. Or maybe just try a peaceful meditation in any quiet outdoor place. What outdoor spot brings you the most peace? What do you like to do there?
Gratitude
I know that feeling grateful can be hard when so much is not going well in the world, but I also know there is always something (many things) to be grateful for. Taking some time each day to reflect on what you are grateful for relieves anxiety and can often bring a smile to your face. Sometimes my gratitude practice looks like taking time to write about what I’m grateful for, and other times it’s simply looking around and being mindful of everything I have surrounding me. A gratitude practice can be whatever works for you, the important part is that it brings you some joy and peace. This only takes a few moments a day and can really be an affective mood enhancer.
Staying Present
Usually when I’m not at peace it’s because I’m ruminating on the past or worrying about the future. So, I am constantly reminding myself to stay present. Taking a few deep breaths and focusing on what’s happening right now in this moment is so helpful. I remind myself that this moment is real, this is what’s happening now, and in this moment everything is okay.
Sometimes I repeat the following to myself.: “I choose to be in this moment. I release the past. I release the future”
Being in the present moment can be challenging, believe me, I know. It’s okay if you have to remind yourself over and over again. Take a deep breath. Everything is okay in this moment.
Acceptance
Sometimes, when all else fails, it’s helpful to practice acceptance. It’s okay to accept that things feel bad right now. It’s okay to feel however we feel. Whether you’re feeling sad, afraid, angry, etc., your emotions are real and they need to be honored. Trying to push emotions away only makes them worse. Also remember that emotions come and go. Remind yourself that you won’t feel this way forever. Accept what is and allow yourself to feel it all!
Here Are Some More Helpful Mantras I Repeat To Myself When I Need Peace:
I choose peace.
I am peaceful.
I am at peace.
All is well within me.
I know sometimes it can feel pointless to focus on finding inner peace when the world is in such turmoil. Even though we can’t fix what’s happening outside of us, it’s important and helpful to find stillness within. I believe our inner peace spreads outward and helps to create peace in the world.
Even if none of these tools resonate with you, I hope it’s helpful to know you’re not alone. Many of us are feeling the turbulence of the world right now and sharing that and being open with each other can also be a way to find some comfort and peace. You are not alone.
I’d love to hear what helps you find inner peace.
