As we shift from summer to autumn, I’ve been reminded once again that we live in a constant state of flux and change.
From the ticking clock that marks the passing of the hours to the autumn leaves that show the change in seasons, everything around us is in perpetual motion.
It can be easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of change and of ‘doing’. Life never stands still and we can feel like we're always moving to the next thing, always busy, always producing, always striving.
In the words of the legendary Ferris Bueller:
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
As busy as our lives feel, it's important to remember that amidst all the movement, we also need moments of stillness.
What is stillness and why do we need it?
Stillness is ‘the quality of being quiet and not moving’ - a rare event for many of us.
We're on the go all year round. Even those of us with limited energy join those with seemingly boundless resources as we respond, react, and strive to do more, better. We're driving ourselves ever forward while life also moves at a rapid pace around us.
Living in a 'forward movement' way can help us get things done, achieve our goals, feel a sense of ‘winning’ in life and sometimes just simply survive. Forward movement is necessary for life, but it’s also vitally important for our brains and our bodies to intentionally choose to have moments when we’re also not doing.
Without stillness, we can't truly rest, reflect and find much-needed respite from the relentless change that is part of the human experience.
The benefits of being still
Being still can help us to:
Focus on what's happening in the here and now
Help us to calm and regulate our nervous systems so we can feel less overwhelmed
Give us time and space to hear our thoughts and our own intuition
Become more creative, both in terms of making but also in finding solutions to life's problems
Make room for a change in perspective
Become more self-aware
Improve the quality of our rest and our sleep
How can you find stillness?
For some people, stillness can be found when we give ourselves permission to do nothing for a moment. To let go of striving, planning and achieving and just stop.
We can find stillness in that moment where you’re neither getting over the thing you’ve just done or thinking about moving on to the thing you do next.
In a very simple way, there’s also stillness to be found in the space between breathing out and breathing in again or a moment when your mind is quiet.
Finding stillness in a chaotic world can be difficult, but it's worth the effort.
Here are a few tips to help you cultivate a sense of inner rest:
Breathe deeply and slowly
You can do this wherever you need to find stillness inside. Try it now. Take a few deep, slow breaths (if that feels safe and comfortable) and notice how your heart rate slows. Notice the shift in your body as you slowly breathe and allow yourself to be still, just for a moment.
Disconnect
It can be hard to be still when notifications ping, the TV is blaring or we’re surrounded by people.
Make some time for yourself each day where you can be still. Put your phone on aeroplane mode. Turn off any distractions. Let the world quieten for a moment or two. Tell people you're doing it and put it in your diary if you need to. Make time for stillness.
Peaceful phrases
Some people find it helpful to create a saying they can repeat to help them find stillness in times of emotional storm or overwhelm. When my brain was in worry freefall before my driving test a few years ago, I found it helpful to tell myself:
“I am peace. I am still. I am calm”
What phrase works for you?
Making time for periods of stillness can help us cope with the rapid pace of life. It helps us to not always be moving forward and allows us to reflect, digest, appreciate and rest.
By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can find more stillness and peace, even when life is difficult.
Change can be hard to cope with but by finding ways to be still, we can improve our sense of inner peace and of resilience.
Are you ready to cultivate more stillness in your life? If you need some help to get you there, let’s talk about it together. I warmly invite you to book a free 30-minute introductory call. You can click here to book an appointment.
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