Finding Inner Peace

Restoring Connection to Yourself in an Unsteady World

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“Please help me find inner peace. The world is too heavy to carry.”

This was the message waiting for me yesterday morning, just after I’d returned from a town hall meeting about the “drones” flying above my town and state. My first thought was, Yeah, I feel that, girl.

Some days, it feels like the weight of the world presses down on us. The demands of daily life, the uncertainty of what’s next, and the relentless noise of everything happening around us—it can leave us feeling untethered and overwhelmed. I’ve been there. I am there. Work, family, bills, THE NEWS, even the quiet voice in your head that keeps reminding you of all the things you haven’t done yet. And it’s not always about one big thing, is it? Sometimes, it’s the accumulation of all the small things—the moments you didn’t take a breath, the times you said “yes” when you meant “no,” the spaces where you put yourself last without even realizing it. Life can be unpredictable, messy, and overwhelming, and when we’re not mindful, it can pull us far away from ourselves.

The poet Joy Harjo writes, “To heal, we must bring everything into the circle: our pain, our truth, our despair, our fears, our brokenness, our joy, our victories, our imperfections, our humanity.” Joy reminds us that inner peace isn’t about perfection or bypassing discomfort. It’s about allowing space for all of it—the good, the hard, the messy, and the beautiful. Finding peace doesn’t mean erasing these challenges or pretending they don’t exist. It’s about finding ways to stay connected to yourself in the midst of it all.

What Peace Really Is (and Isn’t)

There’s a misconception that peace means always feeling calm, always having it together, always being “okay.” But peace isn’t a permanent state—it’s a practice. Some days, it feels effortless, like an old friend who shows up just when you need them. Other days, it’s like grasping at smoke, and that’s okay.

Peace isn’t just a feeling you wait to experience, it’s an action, a choice you make, over and over again. It’s taking responsibility for how you nourish yourself in life’s storms. It’s asking yourself, what can I do today to ground myself? How can I meet myself where I am before I spiral?

Let’s be honest, it’s hard to feel at peace when the world feels heavy and life feels uncertain. But sometimes, the hardest battles are the ones happening inside of us—self-doubt, fear, worry, overthinking, perfectionism, or the belief that we always have to be “on.”

But here’s the truth: you are allowed to rest. You are allowed to pause. You are allowed to simply be.

Inner peace doesn’t mean you’ll never feel stressed, anxious, or unsettled. Those emotions are part of being human. But peace gives you a way to navigate them with more compassion and less overwhelm.

Peace is something you cultivate with intention. It’s about creating practices that anchor you, even in the most overwhelming moments.

1. The Check-In: Listening to What You Need

When was the last time you asked yourself how you’re really doing? Most of us are so busy taking care of everyone and everything else that we forget to pause and check in with ourselves. The check-in is a simple practice, but it’s powerful because it centers your needs and emotions.

How to Practice:

• Set aside 5-10 minutes at the beginning or end of your day.
• Sit quietly with a journal or in stillness and ask yourself:
• What am I feeling right now?
• What do I need today to feel supported?
• What’s one thing I can do for myself to meet that need?
• Write your answers down or speak them aloud.

This practice helps you name what’s happening inside you, which is the first step toward finding clarity and peace.

Acknowledging your feelings validates your experience.

2. Create a Sacred Space for Yourself

You don’t need an elaborate setup to create a space where you feel at peace. A sacred space is less about aesthetics and more about intention—a corner, a chair, or even a small box of items that remind you of your inner calm.

How to Practice:

• Choose a spot in your home that feels safe or comforting.
• Gather objects that ground you: a favorite book, a soft blanket, a candle, or a plant.
• Set an intention for this space. For example: This is where I come to reconnect with myself.
• Spend 5-10 minutes in this space daily—journaling, meditating, or simply breathing.

Having a dedicated space for peace signals to your brain that it’s time to slow down. It becomes a physical reminder to return to yourself.

3. Engage Your Senses to Ground Yourself

When your mind is racing or you feel overwhelmed, grounding through your senses can bring you back to the present moment. This practice is particularly helpful when you feel disconnected or overstimulated.

How to Practice:

Sit comfortably and focus on the following:
• 5 things you can see: Notice the colors, shapes, and details.
• 4 things you can touch: Feel the texture of your clothes, the chair you’re sitting on, or an object nearby.
• 3 things you can hear: Listen to subtle sounds, like a clock ticking or distant chatter.
• 2 things you can smell: This might be your tea, lotion, or even the air.
• 1 thing you can taste.

Note: If you don’t experience all the senses like sight or hearing, focus on the ones available to you, or explore sensations like the rhythm of your breath, the warmth of your hands, or the steady beat of your heart. Peace is about connecting to what grounds you, in your own way.

Engaging your senses helps anchor you in the present moment, quieting a restless mind and easing tension in your body.

4. Release Through Movement

Sometimes, peace isn’t found in stillness—it’s found in motion. Gentle movement can help release pent-up energy, process emotions, and restore a sense of flow.

How to Practice:

• Stretch: Begin with slow, intentional movements. Stretch your arms overhead, roll your shoulders, or twist gently from side to side.
• Walk Mindfully: Take a walk, but focus on the rhythm of your steps and the sensations in your body.
• Dance: Put on a song you love and let your body move freely without worrying about anything.

Movement releases stored tension and reconnects you with your body, reminding you that peace can be dynamic, not just still.

5. Breathing Techniques for Calm

Your breath is one of the most accessible tools you have for calming your mind and body. When life feels overwhelming, intentional breathing can help you reset.

How to Practice:

4-7-8 Breathing
• Inhale through your nose for 4 counts.
• Hold your breath for 7 counts.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 counts.
• Repeat for 4-5 cycles.
• Alternate Nostril Breathing:
• Use your thumb to close your right nostril and inhale through your left.
• Close your left nostril and exhale through your right.
• Continue alternating for 5 cycles.

Breathing slows your heart rate, calms your nervous system, and helps you feel more grounded in moments of stress.

6. Practice the Art of “No”

One of the greatest barriers to peace is overcommitting yourself. Learning to say “no” is an act of self-care.

How to Practice:

• Before agreeing to something, pause and ask: Do I have the energy for this? Does this align with my priorities?
• Practice saying no gently but firmly. For example: “Thank you for thinking of me, but I can’t commit to that right now.”
• Use journaling to process feelings of guilt or discomfort that may arise when setting boundaries.

Saying no creates space in your life for what truly matters and allows you to prioritize your well-being.

7. Micro Moments of Peace

You don’t need hours to cultivate peace—small moments throughout the day can have a profound impact.

How to Practice:

• Pause Between Tasks: Before moving to the next item on your to-do list, take three deep breaths and roll your shoulders.
• Tea or Coffee Ritual: Treat your morning or afternoon beverage as a moment of mindfulness. Notice the warmth of the cup, the aroma, and the taste. If you are preparing it yourself be present with the process.
• Daily Gratitude Check: Before bed, write down one thing that brought you peace or joy that day.

8.Connecting with Nature

• Take a short walk in a nearby park or around your neighborhood, focusing on the sound of your footsteps or the breeze on your face.
• Tend to plants at home or start a small garden, noticing the textures of leaves and soil. Feeling for their subtle energy.
• If a hike is accessible to you, let it be an opportunity to observe the patterns in nature—like the way sunlight filters through trees or the rhythm of a stream.
• Even from indoors, sit by a window and watch the sky, the movement of clouds, or the way rain hits the glass.

9.Reconnecting with Your Spirituality
• Revisit a spiritual practice that feels meaningful to you, whether it’s lighting a candle, meditating, praying, or simply sitting in stillness.
• Create a simple ritual to anchor your day, such as pulling a tarot/oracle card, reading a spiritual text, or offering gratitude in the morning or evening.
• Dedicate a few moments to deep breathing while visualizing a sense of calm or guidance entering your life.

10.Engage with Affirming Words
• Keep a book of affirmations, poetry, or inspiring quotes nearby. Read a passage and reflect on how it resonates with your life.
• Write your own affirmations, starting with phrases like, I am grounded, I am capable, I am deserving of peace.
• Take 5 minutes to journal after reading an inspiring piece, focusing on how its message speaks to your current experience.

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Restorative Writing Prompts

1. What does inner peace mean to you? Describe it in detail—how it feels, looks, and sounds.
2. Write about a time when you felt truly connected to yourself. What made that moment special?
3. What is currently pulling your energy in different directions? How can you refocus on what matters?
4. What are three things you can let go of today to lighten your emotional load?
5. Write a letter to your future self on a hard day. What encouragement or advice would you give?
6. Describe a daily ritual or habit that brings you calm. How can you expand on it?
7. What expectations of yourself feel too heavy right now? What would it feel like to release them?
8. Imagine your life one year from now with more inner peace. What would be different?
9. Write about the boundaries you need to set to protect your energy.
10. Reflect on a time when you navigated a difficult situation. What tools or strengths did you rely on?


Finding inner peace isn’t about escaping life’s challenges—it’s about meeting them with tools that help you stay connected to yourself. These practices don’t require perfection or hours of your time; they simply ask for your intention and presence.

Remember: peace isn’t a destination waiting for you at the end of the road—it’s something you can build, one breath, one pause, one practice at a time.

With Love, Juliet

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