Finding Peace in the Chaos

Finding Peace

I know sometimes life can feel like a lot. Or at least it does to me.

Between the news headlines, the to-do lists, the pressure to perform… well, you get the message.

In the past, I’ve wondered “Is this all there is? Will I ever be able to slow down and just “be”?

Peace can seem like a far-off dream. But the truth is, peace isn’t found by escaping the chaos. I’ve been learning how true this is over the past couple of years. I kept telling myself that if I just kept going, someday I would have it all done and I could be at peace. Ha! Well that never happened! I continued being stressed and actually got more stressed. I had a constant struggle going on in my mind about how I could be better which would of course make me more peaceful. Right? I was constantly telling myself I wasn’t good enough because I couldn’t reach that place of peace. I was 100% chaos.

In The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, it states” When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite (positive) ones should be thought of.”

When fear shows up, breathe in trust.When doubt creeps in, invite clarity.When the world feels dark, choose to be light.

So how do we do that? How do we turn to our in inner calm when the world around us feels shaky?

If you are ever at a point where you feel like this, below are some things that can help you find that peace.

Create a Sacred Morning Practice

It’s true that how you begin your day sets the tone for how you experience it. Even 10–15 minutes of quiet intention can ground you before the noise sets in.Try this:

• A few deep breaths

• A short meditation or prayer

• Journaling 3 thoughts you're grateful for

• A stretch or a walk outside

This is how you can be intentional with life rather than reacting to it.

Turn Off the Noise (I know it’s hard)

Peace doesn’t shout, it whispers. And it’s hard to hear a whisper when we’re bombarded with social media, news, and notifications.

Unplug, even for an hour a day. Silence is more than the absence of sound. It’s the presence of space. Allow yourself some space.

Come Back to Your Body and Get Out of Your Head

When the world feels too big, turn inward.- Breathe.   Paying attention to your breath is always a good way to slow down.- Walk barefoot in the grass. (This really works!)  The first day I was in Slovenia and still feeling a little jet lagged, I took off my sandals and stood barefoot in the grass.  It really grounds you.- Smell your favorite scent.  I use lavender essential oil.  Or I go pick a mint leaf of my mint plant.      - Put your hand over your heart. I usually try to think of something I am grateful for when I do this.  But maybe you could just think of something that makes you smile. This is more than mindfulness. It’s a way to feel the calm.

Talk to someone who calms you.

Your energy is sacred. Guard it.Spend time with people who nourish your spirit, not deplete it.

Let Go of What’s Not Yours to Carry

Not every thought is true. Not every task is yours. Not every energy belongs in your space.Ask yourself: “Is this mine?”If it’s not yours to worry about, or figure out – let it go!

Choose Presence Over Perfection

Peace isn’t about getting everything “right.” It’s about being here in the now. Not thinking about the past or worrying about the future. The next breath. The next step. The next choice. That’s where your power is.

Reignite Your Inner Spark

Sometimes what feels like chaos is actually a sign to remember parts of you that have been forgotten.  When you reconnect to your purpose, your peace returns.When you listen to your intuition, the world softens.When you honor your inner voice, the outside noise loses power.

Ask for Support

You don’t have to do it alone. Peace isn’t a solo journey, it’s a supported one.Whether it's coaching, therapy, friendship, or community, allow yourself to be held.

Final Thought 

You can’t always control what’s happening around you.But you can choose how you meet it.That choice is yours to make. 

✨ Invitation: Want help finding your calm center?

If you're ready to stop just surviving the chaos and start thriving with grounded purpose and deep peace, I’d love to support you.

👉 DM me or check out my website at www.ruthielanigan.com

Because peace isn’t out there somewhere—it’s within you. And you don’t have to find it alone.