Studio Files .12
calm in the chaos : five simple practices to try today.
Sitting in stillness has not always come easy for me. My mind likes to wander, my hands want to stay busy. I love to multitask, to go-go-go, and spent much of my life chasing the next accomplishment, skill, promotion. Ignoring the toll it was taking on my mental, physical and emotional well being, well into my late thirties, when I finally softened into another way of being.
Embracing slowness, daily, has taken a bit of trial and error, for me. Taking cues from favorite authors, researchers, friends - trying various practices and rituals, making them my own, really getting curious about what settles my mind and my bones.
When I’m in balance, and in regular practice of taking some time, daily to sit in stillness and be fully present, I am a much more balanced, calm, and optimistic being - ready to tackle whatever life brings my way. Stray too far, too many days away from my journal or breath work - and watch out world, I’m an angsty ball, pinging from place to issue to place, never fully engaging in any purposeful way.
Especially in this past month, I’ve definitely gotten off track, engaging in endless doomsday scrolling instead of intentional presence. Numbing out the chaos, by consuming even more chaos. Turns out, my friends, this is not a recipe to live by.
Last week, stymied by a bout of seasonal sickness, I was forcefully reminded of the power of rest and quiet for my wellbeing. Exhausted by daily activities, I spent a good bit of time daily in bed, resting, reading, meditating, writing. And while definitely needed for my physical health to rest and recover, it was even more welcomed for my mental and spiritual health to take a pause.
In case you’re in need of a reminder or reset as well today I’m sharing my favorite five practices for calming, recentering, reclaiming my mind, my time, my peace.
Journaling remains my most favorite calming practice, particularly in these chaotic times. Inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, and her concept of morning pages, starting my day with some messy, rambling, handwritten pages is so cathartic. These pages capture everything from my dreams, fears, and gratitude to my anxious thoughts on life, art, current events. This act of brain decluttering allows me to process the overwhelming bits of life, in a safe space. It helps me to free up my mind from the burden and clutter of carrying those thoughts around in my head all day, and even at times helps to identify patterns or emotions that might need attention. By writing down my thoughts first thing in the morning, before the world starts buzzing, I create a space of clarity that helps me approach the day with intention.
Meditation is another practice I’ve found invaluable, while also especially challenging. Sitting in stillness is not a practice that comes easily to me, but one I’ve found benefits my nervous system immensely. Calming my mind + easing my breathing and chest tightness, I always leave a session grateful for the time I spent in meditation. Ten to twenty minutes is about the maximum I can comfortably commit to this practice, and while I strive someday to be able to just sit in silence, I find the most benefit when I’m guided by the beautiful voices of Sarah Blondin, Lalah Delia, or Martha Beck. These moments of tranquility help me center my energy, cultivating a mindset of love and gratitude I can take with me into the rest of the day. Taking this time, especially when the world is particularly noise, allows me to respond from a place of grace and optimism rather than fear or frustration.
Rest. As a mother, I’ve seen the importance of rest for my child, but I’ve only recently begun to apply this lesson to myself. When life feels overwhelming, I take short breaks to read, rest my eyes, or simply unplug for a short bit. This intentional pause helps me recharge and come back to my day with renewed perspective and energy - such a gift.
Nature Walks can feel like a beautifully radical act of self-care. Each time I take a walk, in nature, leaving my AirPods at home and truly being present in nature - I am reminded of just how restorative and resilient the world around us is. A quick stroll through my lush neighborhood, or a barefoot walk in my own backyard, just being in nature helps to ground me. I focus on the sights, sounds, and smells around me, allowing the natural world to remind me that life continues outside the noise of the news, our phones, politics. If you need a little extra incentive to get in your daily steps, Libby DeLana has made an entire ecosystem (book, instagram, podcast) out of her belief in the transformative power of a daily MorningWalk.
Mindful Breathing is a newish addition to my calm toolbox. First introduced to me years ago by my therapist, and rekindled in my recent reading of this book (which I’m currently inhaling, and can’t wait to share my thought on in a soon post) having an intentional breathing pattern especially is helping to loosen the grip anxiety has around my chest. What I love most is that this practice can be done anywhere and only takes a few minutes. I can do it equally while at home in a quiet space as while driving, while out to dinner, anywhere I find my mind starting to spin. Box breathing is the technique that is currently working the best for me, but there are so many options to connect with your breath. This simple act of breathing helps to reset my mental state, bringing a sense of order and regulation back to my nervous system.
In today’s world - where information and chaos is always at the ready to steal our attention, finding and practicing your own mindful practices are more essential than ever. Yours might be something more exciting or adrenaline inducing, or something more social and connected to others. For me, taking some time each day, solo, is a radical act of self-care and love.
Something SO needed for me to show up as my best self in this world. It helps me to cultivate presence, clarity, resilience, and bring my most creative, loving, optimistic artist, mother, partner, friend, daughter, activist, human self into being.
Once you’ve calmed your bones, it’s time to get back to causing some good trouble. My current favorite way to make sure my voice is heard is through the 5 Calls App. It’s the simplest and easiest way I’ve found to contact my government representatives, organized by issue, complete with a script and contact info for each.
love it jill! hope you are well 🤍