This was like reading my own mind. You are right that maintaining peace is vital to be able to cope with everything life throws at us. I also find that my anxiety and my stress levels increase when I don’t protect my peace well enough. I love your tips here and will be using them a lot! xx
Thank you so much Victoria. It really is the key to so much 💕 I really notice it when I don't have enough peace and calm - it takes its toll so quickly. I hope some of the tips will help you cultivate an abundance of peace in your life too! 🙏
I get worn down so easily as well and need time with myself to slow down and appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed. I protect my peace by creating a routine. I am most definitely a creature of habit and practices like brushing my teeth every night with soft music in the background, reading at the start of each day after making my bed really help. I can relate to your words so much!!
Thank you so much Mansi … it definitely takes time to cultivate, and it has even taken me time to truly understand why I value peace so much ! I love your little ways … it all helps and adds up to create a beautiful, quiet, safe and peaceful life 🙏
Goodness! I loved this & didn't realise how much I needed it. I had a similar 'melt down' but tried to get back into being that extrovert. It worked but only to a point & my anxiety which I had always kept hidden reared itself to the point of breakdown. Only now am I understanding that I don't need permission. I am the owner of my feelings & they are not to be dismissed. Setting boundaries is also something I am now trying. Did you worry when you set them that others would be offended?
Self discovery is something I'm trying to embrace from a position of never really liking me. It is hard even in these latter years that I am now in. Thank you for the prompts. I shall use them in morning pages this week
I am so glad this arrived for you at the right time Julia 💕 I agree with everything you have said too. You are absolutely free to be who you are, and I think creating a life around you that feels safe and good is vital. For me, and it sounds like for you - peace is a big part of that 🙏 Oh yessss - boundaries can make you unpopular (!) - some people just won't take the time to understand, but you have to try and look within, find your truth and trust that inner voice. I hope the prompts helped you uncover more about this Julia. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment 💕
So beautifully written Emily. I'm so sorry about your mum 🤗
Your quote "I need a lot of alone time, I need quiet and calm. In the quiet I can relax and be myself" could easily have been written about me. I'm most happy when in a quiet and calm environment, on my own.
I enjoy being in the company of family and close friends in a lively scenario for short periods of time but afterwards I need a couple of hours of quiet contemplation to restore the balance.
Setting boundaries is one I struggle with at times and yet it's so important for protecting your peace and keeping the balance isn't it.
Thank you so much Debbie. 💕 Yes … I do think for those of us that need more peace and calm in our lives, boundaries are the thing that will help us the most. They just so happen to also be one of the hardest to master … and they change ! But little by little I think you can start to really carve out time for you and I honestly believe the first step is realising how important peace is, and then giving it space in your life. Thank you so much for reading, I'm really pleased it resonated . 🙏 There are more of us than the world leads us to believe!!!!
You're welcome💕. You are absolutely right, boundaries are really hard. I'm fairly in control of my alone time at home but what I find the hardest is saying no to social gatherings. At first they sound like a great idea and I'm caught up in the excitement, but often the moment I'm left to my own thoughts I instantly regret saying yes. Just certain events, not all of them. This I really need to work on.
I agree, there are definitely more of us out there that feel the same!
Hi Emily, this piece on peace 😉has resonated with me, as you do as a person and writer. I have misophonia and hyperacusis, so I have a physical need for peace as well as a mental need for it too. I love your words, voice and work. Xxx
Thank you so much Maria 🙏 that's means a great deal to me. It really started to transform my life when I realised how important peace was, and then started to create ways to protect it and invited more space for calm. Thank you for your kind words. 💕
Thank you so much Maria 🙏 that's means a great deal to me. It really started to transform my life when I realised how important peace was, and then started to create ways to protect it and invited more space for calm. Thank you for your kind words. 💕
Thank you for this beautiful piece of writing, Emily. It sounds as though we have had similar experiences and I also ‘choose peace’ hence my name here.
I too had to act the extrovert at points in my life, even though I am not by nature.
I loved reading about some of the ways you re-set. Thank you so much for the tips. I think this article will help a lot of people.
Thank you so much, I am so pleased you enjoyed this. I love your Substack’s name !!!! 🙏 I had to do a double take, ‘choosing peace’ commented on ‘choosing peace’!
I keep meaning to read Susan Cain Quiet - I think it would be so interesting to read her take on what it means to be an introvert living in an extroverted world! so pleased to have connected with you here. 💕
Such a wonderful piece, thank you for articulating so clearly a process I have also been going through. I would love to know some examples of boundaries you have set? I am trying to set my own to help protect my peace but very interested what boundaries have helped others.
Thank you so much Charlotte 🙏 I think the thing about boundaries is to remember they can change and evolve with you over time. Originally, I had to sort of, retreat, so I could hear myself again, and then over time, I've got more confident and I'm able to balance life/relationships in a far healthier way, and so my boundaries have relaxed more. I hope the journal prompts may help you uncover more. 🙏
I am on a journey of finding more peacefulness Emily, the biggest challenge after years of conditioning is to allow myself to have that peace. Thank you for this heart filled and wise post, it is one I will return to 💕🙏
Thank you so much Clare. It took me a long time to realise how everything was connected to feeling more peace and calm in my life. It is freeing in a way. I hope this has helped in some small way. Little steps, we'll get there 🙏
I really enjoyed reading this. I could have written it myself even - so much resonated! I will enjoy looking at your journaling reflections soon too. Thank you x
I am so glad Sarah - it has been one of my biggest and most transformational lessons. I hope the journal prompts help you delve a bit deeper too. Thank you 🙏
This was like reading my own mind. You are right that maintaining peace is vital to be able to cope with everything life throws at us. I also find that my anxiety and my stress levels increase when I don’t protect my peace well enough. I love your tips here and will be using them a lot! xx
Thank you so much Victoria. It really is the key to so much 💕 I really notice it when I don't have enough peace and calm - it takes its toll so quickly. I hope some of the tips will help you cultivate an abundance of peace in your life too! 🙏
This is gorgeous Emily 🥰✨🙏
You are so kind. Thank you Eva 💕
Beautifully written Emily!
I get worn down so easily as well and need time with myself to slow down and appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed. I protect my peace by creating a routine. I am most definitely a creature of habit and practices like brushing my teeth every night with soft music in the background, reading at the start of each day after making my bed really help. I can relate to your words so much!!
Thank you so much Mansi … it definitely takes time to cultivate, and it has even taken me time to truly understand why I value peace so much ! I love your little ways … it all helps and adds up to create a beautiful, quiet, safe and peaceful life 🙏
Goodness! I loved this & didn't realise how much I needed it. I had a similar 'melt down' but tried to get back into being that extrovert. It worked but only to a point & my anxiety which I had always kept hidden reared itself to the point of breakdown. Only now am I understanding that I don't need permission. I am the owner of my feelings & they are not to be dismissed. Setting boundaries is also something I am now trying. Did you worry when you set them that others would be offended?
Self discovery is something I'm trying to embrace from a position of never really liking me. It is hard even in these latter years that I am now in. Thank you for the prompts. I shall use them in morning pages this week
I am so glad this arrived for you at the right time Julia 💕 I agree with everything you have said too. You are absolutely free to be who you are, and I think creating a life around you that feels safe and good is vital. For me, and it sounds like for you - peace is a big part of that 🙏 Oh yessss - boundaries can make you unpopular (!) - some people just won't take the time to understand, but you have to try and look within, find your truth and trust that inner voice. I hope the prompts helped you uncover more about this Julia. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment 💕
So beautifully written Emily. I'm so sorry about your mum 🤗
Your quote "I need a lot of alone time, I need quiet and calm. In the quiet I can relax and be myself" could easily have been written about me. I'm most happy when in a quiet and calm environment, on my own.
I enjoy being in the company of family and close friends in a lively scenario for short periods of time but afterwards I need a couple of hours of quiet contemplation to restore the balance.
Setting boundaries is one I struggle with at times and yet it's so important for protecting your peace and keeping the balance isn't it.
Lovely to read, as always x
Thank you so much Debbie. 💕 Yes … I do think for those of us that need more peace and calm in our lives, boundaries are the thing that will help us the most. They just so happen to also be one of the hardest to master … and they change ! But little by little I think you can start to really carve out time for you and I honestly believe the first step is realising how important peace is, and then giving it space in your life. Thank you so much for reading, I'm really pleased it resonated . 🙏 There are more of us than the world leads us to believe!!!!
You're welcome💕. You are absolutely right, boundaries are really hard. I'm fairly in control of my alone time at home but what I find the hardest is saying no to social gatherings. At first they sound like a great idea and I'm caught up in the excitement, but often the moment I'm left to my own thoughts I instantly regret saying yes. Just certain events, not all of them. This I really need to work on.
I agree, there are definitely more of us out there that feel the same!
Hi Emily, this piece on peace 😉has resonated with me, as you do as a person and writer. I have misophonia and hyperacusis, so I have a physical need for peace as well as a mental need for it too. I love your words, voice and work. Xxx
Thank you so much Maria 🙏 that's means a great deal to me. It really started to transform my life when I realised how important peace was, and then started to create ways to protect it and invited more space for calm. Thank you for your kind words. 💕
Thank you so much Maria 🙏 that's means a great deal to me. It really started to transform my life when I realised how important peace was, and then started to create ways to protect it and invited more space for calm. Thank you for your kind words. 💕
Thank you for this beautiful piece of writing, Emily. It sounds as though we have had similar experiences and I also ‘choose peace’ hence my name here.
I too had to act the extrovert at points in my life, even though I am not by nature.
I loved reading about some of the ways you re-set. Thank you so much for the tips. I think this article will help a lot of people.
Thank you so much, I am so pleased you enjoyed this. I love your Substack’s name !!!! 🙏 I had to do a double take, ‘choosing peace’ commented on ‘choosing peace’!
I keep meaning to read Susan Cain Quiet - I think it would be so interesting to read her take on what it means to be an introvert living in an extroverted world! so pleased to have connected with you here. 💕
Such a wonderful piece, thank you for articulating so clearly a process I have also been going through. I would love to know some examples of boundaries you have set? I am trying to set my own to help protect my peace but very interested what boundaries have helped others.
Thank you so much Charlotte 🙏 I think the thing about boundaries is to remember they can change and evolve with you over time. Originally, I had to sort of, retreat, so I could hear myself again, and then over time, I've got more confident and I'm able to balance life/relationships in a far healthier way, and so my boundaries have relaxed more. I hope the journal prompts may help you uncover more. 🙏
I am on a journey of finding more peacefulness Emily, the biggest challenge after years of conditioning is to allow myself to have that peace. Thank you for this heart filled and wise post, it is one I will return to 💕🙏
Thank you so much Clare. It took me a long time to realise how everything was connected to feeling more peace and calm in my life. It is freeing in a way. I hope this has helped in some small way. Little steps, we'll get there 🙏
I really enjoyed reading this. I could have written it myself even - so much resonated! I will enjoy looking at your journaling reflections soon too. Thank you x
I am so glad Sarah - it has been one of my biggest and most transformational lessons. I hope the journal prompts help you delve a bit deeper too. Thank you 🙏