We’re living in strange times. That’s an understatement, right? Everywhere we turn, opinions are shouted as facts, and kindness seems non-existent. I’ve felt it deeply too: the noise, the rhetoric, the constant stream of “falsified certainty.” It can be exhausting but keep reading to discover how to protect your inner peace.
But here’s the thing. As long as we engage in a society that refuses to accept the opinions of others, the more we build a world that is unkind, unforgiving and narrow-minded. I also am convinced that when we live like that, it is a constant battle to soothe our hearts, our minds, our nervous systems and to elevate our happiness. I know I’m not alone in my stalwart belief that we need a return to civility.
The most likely arena for discontent is politics. I don’t write or post about politics, but how can you write about protecting your inner peace without mentioning it? People seem unable to block it out. Being informed matters, but I believe with all certainty that learning how to protect your inner peace – what you let in and how you react – is even more important.
Recently, I read a newsletter by Lisa Olivera who described this era with one word: disorienting. The definition of that word is “causing someone to lose their sense of direction.” I don’t think I know anyone who hasn’t felt that way recently. But I do know that the best thing we can do – and must do – when we’re disoriented is to return to our own center, find our North Star, and regain our sense of direction — even when everything around us is shifting.
That’s what this post is about: the practices that keep me grounded. I won’t lie – it takes work but the benefits have made a huge difference in my life, and they might help you too.
10 Ways on How to Protect Your Inner Peace
- Design Your Life – Protecting your inner peace starts with intention. For me, everything weaves back to my annual theme and a set of commandments that guide how I want to show up in my life and keep me tethered to what matters most.
- Do a Digital Detox – Give your nervous system a break from the constant barrage. One of my most impactful practices this year is “snoozing” anyone who posts about politics for 30 days. It’s been fundamental for my sanity. Do it and then tune into how you feel. Log off, unfollow, block, snooze them, create some silence. If you want to take that deep, here’s a road map.
- Build Your Fortress – You decide who and what to let in. Choose your trusted news sources. Surround yourself with positivity and people who make you smile. And a fortress isn’t truly safe without boundaries. Next point.
- Use Your Voice – Set boundaries. Journal your thoughts. Ask for what you need — time off, a listening ear, support. You might be surprised who steps up.
- Cleanse the Clutter – Purge your clothes, simplify your home, and create distance from relationships that drain you. Clutter isn’t just physical — it’s anything that takes up emotional space.
- Live Your Passions – What lights you up? Reading, painting, refinishing furniture? Block your calendar and carve out time to do what you love.
- Stretch Your Mind – Technology can teach you anything. Learn a craft, a skill, or a language you’ve always been curious about. Pick one and give it a go.
- Motion Is Lotion – Movement is medicine. Get outside, walk in nature, notice the clouds, smell the flowers, smile at people you pass. Be present with your body.
- Connection Takes Effort – We can make the world friendlier again. Smile, say hello, hold the door open. Say thank you when someone holds the door open for you. Small acts of kindness ripple out.
- Let Go of Judgment – When negative thoughts make their way to your lips, let them go. Stay in your lane. Instead of judging others, ask yourself: What do I believe? What do I know to be true for me?
Inner Peace is a Practice
Inner peace isn’t a given – it is a practice. Which of these speak to you right now? Try one this week. And, I’d love to hear how it felt to come back to your own centre with one small tweak in your life? Share in the comments.