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When Life Feels Rough
I don’t know about you, but for me, life lately has felt like living in the middle of a shitty storm… You look at the news, hear conversations in the grocery store, and of course everything seen on social media… suddenly your chest feels tight. I know mine does.
Sometimes I wonder if the universe has a sense of humor. (Spoiler: it does, and sometimes, it’s not that funny!) To me, the world has felt NOISY, divided, and just…oh-so chaotic.
In times like these, it’s very easy for me to spiral into fear, anger, or despair. Add on family stresses, bills stacking up, and my to-do list becoming a major will-power battle to tackle… Some days, I’ve found I REALLY just want to hide under my covers and stay put!
see also: A Guide To Prioritizing Good Mental Health Amidst Life’s Craziness
This topic of “turmoil” or “chaos” in the world has got me thinking a lot lately, and wondering how I can apply it to this blog, but also give some tips on what actually helps me cope! So just on the off chance, it could help you too…
I’ve learned something important: staying strong in tough times doesn’t mean ignoring the chaos. It means finding inner peace in chaos and choosing not to let the whirlwind sweep us away. That’s where resilience comes in…not perfection, not pretending everything is fine, but cultivating a steady heart even when the world feels super off.
My daughter staring at the path ahead. We can all relate right?
See also: embracing imperfections
Why Resilience Matters in Hard Times
When the world feels uncertain, i’ve found that resilience is like the anchor that keeps us from drifting too far. It’s not about being unshakable though, it’s about learning how to sway with the storm without just… snapping.
Building inner strength looks different for everyone. For me, it’s been a mix of grit, prayer, coffee (lots of coffee), and the kind of determination that says: “Okay life, I know you’re full of curveballs, but I’m still gonna show up.”
Resilience in hard times is often less about doing something heroic and more about small, everyday choices: showing up for whatever the day brings when you’d rather stay under the covers (calling myself out again here), calling your friend instead of scrolling endlessly, or making dinner even when no one says “thank you.”
Practical Ways to Find Inner Peace in Chaos
I’ve been thinking…how do you actually stay calm in uncertainty? (Besides locking yourself in the pantry with a bag of chips…again, a call out on myself, because…been there, done that. haha.) Here are some everyday resilience tips that help me:
- Limit the noise. Too much news and social media can turn my stress into full-blown panic. So choose when and how often to tune in and try to make it as limited as possible each day!
- Create anchors. Things you make a point to do every day. Morning coffee, journaling, or even making your bed each and every morning…small rituals tell your brain, “We’re okay.”
- Breathe like you mean it. Box breathing (in for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4) has rescued me more times than I can count, seriously.
- Move your body. A walk outside, stretching, or dancing in your kitchen does wonders. My kids and I have loved blasting the soundtrack from Netflix K-Pop Demon Hunters! *Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!*
- Gratitude resets. Write down three things you’re thankful for, even if one is “today… I had a good hair day.”
I know, I know…These aren’t magic fixes, but they truly do help create a little calm inside the chaos.
Check out: Having The Courage To Fail | 5 Things You Should Embrace On Your Journey To Success
Love Loudly…Small Acts of Kindness That Carry Us Through
Sometimes, when the world feels heavy, the best thing we can do is lighten someone else’s load.
Small acts of kindness don’t have to be Instagram-worthy. In fact, the best ones usually aren’t:
- Sending a text that says, “Thinking of you.”
- Holding the door for the person juggling way too many grocery bags.
- Dropping off cookies for a neighbor (even if you eat two on the way…).
- Letting someone go first in traffic, even when you’re late.
How to love people better doesn’t always look dramatic. It’s often in the unnoticed, everyday choices. And here’s the secret: kindness not only lifts others, it lifts us too.
The Grace of Listening…How to Truly Hear the People Around You
If resilience is about strength, listening is on the softer side…and together, I think they really balance each other.
I used to think I was a pretty good listener. Then I realized I was often just waiting for my turn to talk. (Ouch.) Truly listening with compassion is harder than it sounds!
If you struggle with this too, this book really helped me.
Here’s what I’ve learned about how to truly listen:
- Put down the phone. (Like, ALL THE WAY DOWN)
- Don’t plan your response while the other person is still talking. Just, be in the moment and LISTEN.
- Repeat back what you heard, even if clumsily. “So you’re saying you felt overlooked at work?”
- Sit in silence if needed. Sometimes the best gift you can give someone is to NOT give them advice, even if you’re just BRIMMING with the need. I’ve SO felt this one… Sometimes all we need is to feel HEARD.
When people feel heard, walls crumble. And when walls crumble, connection grows.
Everyday Lessons in Resilience and Hope
Over the years, I’ve noticed something: the moments that build resilience aren’t the “big dramatic movie” ones. They’re the little moments of resolve that no one else sees.
Like the time my budget was so tight, like I only had $10 to my name tight, so I had to get creative with dinner…and my kids thought “cereal-for-dinner night” was the best thing ever. Or the day I wanted to give up on ALL my goals and projects, but I decided to keep showing up, even just one small step at a time.
Hope in turbulent times truly doesn’t arrive in fireworks. It sneaks in quietly through small wins, kind words, and the choice to keep going.
Finding Strength in Stillness and Reflection
There’s power in stillness, even when it feels unnatural. Our culture loves busyness, and it seems to be ingrained in all of us here in the U.S. it seems! Like it gives us something to brag about. But finding strength in stillness and reflection might be the most countercultural thing we can do.
Some practices that help me:
- Journaling. I know I mention this one a lot, but it truly does work! A bonus for me is to write with a super pretty journal like my recent favorite HERE and also to use the prettiest pens I can get my hands on. Recently I love these. Ha ha…Getting the mess in my head onto paper helps me see patterns and solutions.
- Prayer or meditation. A pause in the day reminds me I’m not carrying everything alone. I admit, I’m not the best here, but sometimes just pulling up a motivational scripture online helps a ton just to carry on.
- Walks in nature. There’s something healing about trees. They don’t rush, and they just stand steady, season after season. I also find it incredibly healing to just go sit on my grass. There’s something to be said about why people rave about “grounding”. If you’re interested in learning more about grounding, I found this article from healthline.com pretty good…
These are practical ways to find peace during stressful times, and they work because they bring us back to ourselves.
Holding Steady Together
At the end of the day, resilience isn’t about going it alone. It’s about standing steady while also leaning on each other. It’s about the strength to endure and the tenderness to show compassion.
Finding inner peace in chaos doesn’t mean the storm disappears though, it just means it doesn’t control us anymore.
And here’s the truth: lessons in resilience aren’t just about weathering life’s tempests. They’re about finding the small joys, the everyday victories, and the love that keeps us going.
So I’ll leave you with this question:
👉 What’s your favorite way to find inner peace when life feels uncertain?
I’d love to hear how you’re finding hope in turbulent times. Let’s all lift eachother where we can! drop a comment below and share your story.
