5 Ways to Protect Your Inner Peace

Our individual worlds are inundated with so much information on the daily, and the reality is, not all of it is good for us. If this past year has taught us anything it’s the importance of harnessing the calm within the chaos. So how do we know what to let in and what to leave behind to preserve our personal tranquility? 

Here are 5 ways that you can protect your inner peace:

1. Saying “No” or “Not Right Now”

If you don’t have the emotional or physical capacity to navigate certain conversations or outings, it’s okay to say “no” or “not right now”. It can be liberating to say “no” to things that you simply don’t have the capacity for. This doesn’t mean escaping all difficult conversations or lacklustre outings, but more about honouring your feelings in the moment and practicing authentic living. The simplest go-to sentence to begin your journey of saying no is, “That doesn’t work for me unfortunately, but thank you for offering”. It’s kind, direct, and doesn’t allow much room for a “why not?” response. 

2. Press the Mute Button

While social media has its benefits, it opens us up to information and imagery that can go against our personal views and values which can be exhausting. It’s more than okay to mute those individuals or accounts if they don’t make you feel empowered, informed, or inspired. The mute button is also the least permanent and least confrontational action one can take when it comes to limiting viewership of an account which is a win-win when it comes to protecting your peace.

3. Be Conscious of How Your Media Consumption Affects You 

Aside from social media, the other forms of media we consume can have an affect on our well-being. Check in with yourself, and see if your thoughts and feelings are up for the media consumption you are about to indulge in. Feeling a bit edgy? Maybe the true crime podcast you listen to is a bit too dark for your headspace today. Anxiety a bit high? Instead of starting a new TV show, enjoy a few favourite episodes of one you’ve watched a million times because it’s comforting and predictable. These little check-ins with yourself can do wonders for maintaining your sense of calm. 

4. Build a Self-Love Routine

Being part of the self-love club means carving out some time to intentionally give yourself what you need. This looks different for everyone, but figuring out what brings your heart joy or allows you to release the day is of the utmost importance for your emotional well-being. This might look like daily grounding or visualization practices, writing how you feel in a journal, connecting with nature, cleansing yourself with water, cooking nutritious meals, reaching out to loved ones, going offline, or simply doing something that makes you feel confident. Whatever the activity is, it should be something that you practice with intention so that you cultivate a routine that allows your mind and body to receive the full benefits of your actions.

5. Live in the Moment

We can’t change the past, but we can shift our focus to the present and ground ourselves in the things we can control. Recognize what is within your circle of control and write it down. This is an excellent way to pull yourself back into the moment when you are feeling overwhelmed. One of the very best quotes about living in the moment is from Eckhart Tolle, “Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life”. Training your brain to revisit this quote can bring a wash of calm to any situation, and is a beautiful sentiment to offer anyone in your world who needs to take action to protect their inner peace. 

Looking for a great book to read this summer on the subject of protecting your inner peace? Check out Michael A. Singer’s “The Untethered Soul: A Journey Beyond Yourself”.

Article by @thehuntresscanada