Inner peace is not a secret treasure that is locked away in some part of the universe. It lies within you and in the little choices you make everyday. It doesn’t demand you to change your life or a retreat to a silent monastery, it simply thrives in the little moments. Yet, so often we treat inner calmness like an item on the checklist, forgetting that it is a state of mind and requires no tickets, reservations- only the willingness to reconnect with yourself.
In this fast paced world, we are constantly fighting negative thoughts, self doubts and criticisms and finding inner peace may seem too far fetched. But by making small changes in our daily lives and routines, we can start cultivating that feeling and choose peace over any other feeling. From starting your day with quiet reflection to embracing the natural world around you, inner peace is all about creating space to simply exist. Ready to get started? Here’s your step-by-step guide to finding tranquility in the midst of life’s beautiful chaos.
- Make Gratitude a daily practice
There is enough said about how gratitude can shift your focus from what you want to what you have. It’s easy to think about the things that are going wrong but gratitude is a daily reminder of things that are going right. At night before going to bed when you’re relaxed and winding down, take a notepad and write down three things that made you happy that day and you were grateful for. It can be as small as a hearty meal you made yourself. This practice rewires your brain to start noticing things that are going very well.
- Cultivate A Positive Mindset
Having a positive mindset in life is like having the power to overturn your dark days. While some may say that it is extremely difficult and non practical to be positive all the time, starting somewhere is essential. Start paying attention to your inner dialogue that keeps you from doing things. Replacing those negative thoughts and patterns slowly with affirmations, will eventually cultivate positive thinking. Surround yourself with things and people that make you happy- like a favourite book or close friends who celebrate your small wins. When you focus on positivity, you naturally create a space where inner peace can flourish.
- Practice Self Love
Start treating yourself like you treat your loved ones – with care, compassion and lots of love.Starting small is always going to have big results so start speaking to yourself with kindness, appreciate your efforts and flaws. The best exercise is to write down what you absolutely love about yourself and if you feel like you’re stuck, think about what your best friend would say. Prepare a luxurious ritual for yourself, be it reading, or cooking or enjoying a long relaxing bath. And remember, self-love also means recognizing when to rest and recharge. Once you start doing this and valuing yourself, inner peace will follow you like a devoted companion.
- Don’t be afraid to say NO
Our schedules don’t always need to be packed to the brim, we have to block out a window for leisure, family time and some ‘ME-time’. By saying NO to the commitments that drain you and saying YES to the ones that nourish you and make you happy, you are choosing inner peace. Be it a colleague, your boss or even your close family members, saying NO when required will not only give you the confidence, but a reassurance that you can choose peace whenever you want to. This is a powerful way to set your boundaries, honor your needs, and invite inner peace into your life.
- Make yourself a Joy- list
When there is too much on your plate and you feel overwhelmed, it’s time to make a joy list to come back to when you’re done. This will not only motivate you to be better at your tasks, but also be something to look forward to. Whether it’s watching TV, baking cookies or planning your next trip, having a go-to list of joys can lift your spirits on tough days.So keep it handy and refer to it whenever you need a little spark of light or some motivation to finish your tasks.
In the end, cultivating inner peace is not a destination, it is a journey where you keep getting better with time and practice. These small habits can create big changes in the long run.
Pragya Bisen | Contributing Writer
