Finding Your Zen Amongst The Chaos

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The age-old saying, when you are comfortable with chaos your brain starts to search for it even when things are at peace, is true for most of society. We are even conditioned to feel unproductive when we are simply enjoying peace and stillness. And it’s not your fault, it’s not anyone’s fault.

Understanding that we will always have moments of busyness, overwhelm, chaos, etc. - is what allows us to step into control of our actions during these times. Having grace and patience is the foundation to being able to thrive and nourish ourselves through these moments.

Running a business, a career, a family, or a household requires you to be engaged with everything around you 95% of the time. And if you don’t work on implementing sustainable practices to support yourself, you will burn out.

So what would these practices look like?

1. Having non-negotiable downtime. This can be as little as 1 minute or as much as 24 hours. But it is not acceptable to say you have no time to catch your breath and give it back to you for 1 minute out of 24 hours. This could look like putting your head on your chest and feeling present with your body as you fall asleep. This could look like hugging yourself in the shower. This could look like sitting in your car or in public transport and just focusing on your breath (inhale, 1, exhale, 2, repeat).

2. Having a way to calm the nervous system when it is on fire. In total moments of overwhelm, it is helpful to have a few tools to reconnect back into the present and enable yourself to remove your mind from the chaos even for just a moment. This can look like 1/2 breathing as shown above. This can look like therapeutic tapping. This can look like affirmations (ex. I am safe, this will pass. I am safe, this will pass.). This can look like talking to a loved one. This can look like taking a warm or cold shower/bath. This can look like working out. Or cooking. Or dancing. The point is, that whatever you choose feels good for YOUR needs.

3. An action plan of support. What systems do you have in place for support and execution? Do you have someone you can call for childcare? Do you have daycare? Do you have a scheduling system? Is a paper or digital calendar better for you? Do to-do lists feel better on your phone or in an agenda? Does time blocking feel supportive for you? Does logging off by 4pm every day feel good for you? Does doing a social media detox feel nourishing? Does having planned times to have your phone on ‘do not disturb’ feel good? What can you have as a plan of action for when challenges come up?

Now, what are some tools you can utilize on top of these practices?

1. A weighted blanket or soft fuzzy blanket

2. A timer for making sure you take the time you need even if on a tight time crunch

3. A mood lighting for calming (this one is my favourite right now)

4. Simple things that make your life simplified. Have a tote carrier in your car for necessities you sometimes need (a sweater, water, change of clothes, etc.). Have a routine for tracking your grocery needs (we use a whiteboard that sticks to the side of the fridge that we write as we go so we never forget what we need).

5. Epsom salts for a destimulating and soothing bath.

6. I personally love google calendar for planning everything.

7. Simplify cooking and meals - we love our air fryer for quick and low-energy meals. (This is the one we use.)

8. Meditation pillow, or designated cozy nook.

9. Journal/Agenda

And remember, it is a practice, it is not perfection. Give yourself grace. And keep going. You are worthy and so deserving.

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