Embracing Serenity: Top 10 Ways to Protect Your Inner Peace

Maintaining inner peace amidst chaos can feel like a whirlwind task in today’s fast-paced world. Yet, amongst the hustle and bustle, safeguarding our inner tranquillity is essential for our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. As some of you may know, my campervan is my little piece of calm, aptly named SID (Serenity in Disguise).  Over the last nine months, I have delved into the world of better mental health strategies and learned how to nurture and protect my inner peace whilst navigating some difficult challenges. So without further ado, here are my top ten strategies for protecting my inner peace (in no particular order).

For me, I still struggle with number two and also number nine, but I am getting there.

1. Practice Mindfulness: Cultivate present-moment awareness through mindfulness practices such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindful walking. By grounding yourself in the here and now, you can let go of worries about the past or future, fostering a sense of calm and clarity.  I use the Calm app to practice meditation daily and the sleep stories are awesome at night. Each morning I grab a coffee and sit on my step whilst listening to the birds.

2. Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to commitments or activities that drain your energy or compromise your values. Establishing healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life is crucial for protecting your time, energy, and inner peace.  For me, this one is still a work in progress as I am a bit of a people pleaser, but I know how important it is for my well-being.

3. Prioritise Self-Care: Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Engage in activities that nourish your body, mind, and soul,.  For me, I have spent time walking (not just for work but for pleasure), writing, travelling to new places, experiencing new “firsts”, and ultimately spending more time with the people I love and care about.

4. Limit Exposure to Negative Influences: Be mindful of the media, social interactions, and environments that impact your mental well-being. Surround yourself with positivity, uplifting content, and supportive individuals who uplift and inspire you.  I am now a firm believer in “If I am meant to know something important in the news then it will find its way to me somehow”.  I do spend time on Facebook, however, I do not interact with content that is negative as this simply fuels the algorithm and feeds me more of the same rubbish.  I have left groups that are too bitchy or moany and the FOMO is no longer there.  I deleted TikTok and I rarely visit YouTube (unless I need to learn how to do something technical).

5. Practice Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude by acknowledging and appreciating the blessings in your life, no matter how small. Keeping a gratitude journal or simply taking a moment each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for can shift your perspective and invite more peace into your life.  This one takes practice, but your “three good things” or “roses and thorns” are a good place to start at the end of each day.

6. Release Control: Recognise that there are aspects of life beyond your control and learn to surrender to the flow of the universe (sorry if this sounds a bit woo-woo). Trust in the process of life and embrace uncertainty with an open heart, knowing that everything happens for a reason.  I love my new hoodie that reads “Let Go Of Things You Can’t Control”.  (including the weather!).

7. Connect with Nature: Spend time in nature to recharge and reconnect with your inner peace. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll in the park, a hike in the mountains, or simply sitting by the ocean, immersing yourself in the beauty of the natural world can soothe your soul and quiet your mind.

8. Cultivate Positive Relationships: Surround yourself with supportive, uplifting individuals who nurture your inner peace and encourage your personal growth. Foster meaningful connections based on trust, respect, and authenticity, and let go of relationships that no longer serve your highest good.

9. Practice Forgiveness: Release resentment, anger, and grudges by practising forgiveness, both towards others and yourself. Holding onto negative emotions only weighs you down and disrupts your inner peace. Choose to forgive and let go, freeing yourself from emotional baggage and finding closure.  This is easier to write down than it is to put into practice, but it does make a big difference to your inner peace.  Whoever coined the phrase “out of sight is out of mind” was very accurate.

10. Live in Alignment with Your Values: Align your actions, choices, and goals with your core values and beliefs. Living authentically and in integrity with yourself brings a profound sense of peace and fulfilment, as you honor your true essence and purpose.  Trying to be someone you are not is exhausting.  Be you.  Be your happy place.

Summary: Incorporating these ten practices into your daily life can help you cultivate and protect your inner peace amidst life’s inevitable challenges and uncertainties. Remember that inner peace is not a destination to reach but a journey to embrace, and with dedication and mindfulness, you can nurture a sense of serenity that radiates from within.

Are there any that you would add to this list? I'd love to hear them.