When the World Feel Heavy
Some days, ‘peace’ isn’t a quiet room and a yoga mat. Sometimes, peace is just the conscious choice to walk away from a sharp comment and refocus on the scent of banana bread in the oven. Sometimes it is taking a deep breath, putting the phone down, and just standing in the bathroom for a time out. It’s about finding the still point in the middle of a topsy-turvy day. The problem usually is that we get overwhelmed and then spiral. Do you know what stops that spiral? Getting out our toolkit and picking up the tool that will work for us in that moment. Life is messy so getting an hour to regroup and find “peace” is just unrealistic in this world.
Below, I am going to share three tools from my own toolkit. Between the news (which is horrific) and my household I often find my toolkit helpful at navigating and taking back my own inner world. A spouse’s challenges, teenage attitude, news headlines, and personal growth can all be trigger points that just tip me right down the slide. These help! Each takes only 60 seconds to do!
The Sensory Anchor Technique
This is one tool that can easily be used at any time and any place! It only takes three deep breaths to use this tool and you don’t even have to leave the room or situation. Use this when the chaos around you or external comments are trying to pull you in. In the moment pick one strong sensory detail that belongs only to you. The warmth of the coffee mug in your hands, the laundry sheet smell from your sweater, or the background song in a show for example. Focus on it for three deep breaths. Doing this exercise reminds your nervous system that you are safe in your own experience.
The Invisible Shield Visualization
This tool is for you to visualize a boundary around your peace. Imagine your desk, workspace, or bedroom has a clear perimeter. Anything “edged” or negative that is said or done outside this perimeter simply hits the shield and drops to the floor. It doesn’t get to cross the line into your creative or peaceful space. Think like a jellied barrier like the doorway in the toy store closet in the movie, Red One.
The “Micro-Exit”
This is a 60 second personal reset. If the energy in the room shifts in a way that feels heavy, give yourself permission for a 60-second “reset.” Step into a different room, stretch your arms out wide, and say (out loud or internally), “I am returning to my own momentum.” It breaks the spell of the growing stress rise, frustration, or other triggers you are experiencing.
From My Heart to Yours
In a world that is chaotic and uncontrollable we have to make the choice to acknowledge what we can control and what we cannot. A well stocked toolkit is just the thing to have in our back pocket as we navigate through this thing called life. Especially when there is so many HUGE things going on that are nowhere near our realm of control. We cannot control the chaos of others but we can control where we look. Do not underestimate just how powerful that act is. What is one small thing you can focus on right now that is purely yours? Let the rest of the noise just be background music.
Current Status: Currently writing this while focusing on the smell of my incense. The news has been horrifying and my tasks for the day are getting completed. Momentum is a choice.