5 Reminders To Help You Stay Calm Amidst Chaos

Photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash

For many of us, navigating life has been very difficult lately. The "what ifs" and worst-case scenarios don't seem to leave our minds.

Everything looks bleak.

When we face uncertainties about what the future will hold, it can be quite daunting. It may seem as if nothing will ever get better and there's no way out. You may feel helpless and frustrated because you don't seem to have control over your life.

When gloomy thoughts race through your mind, when you feel like you're being consumed by darkness, it can be hard to make sense of it all and stay still.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious about the way your life is unfolding right now, know that it's completely normal. Also, remember that you are not alone in feeling like this.

Here are a few reminders to help you respond to life with a calmer mindset.

1. Eventually everything works out

Nothing is forever. Things are always changing. You will inevitably experience both good and bad times.

The key is not to get carried away in the ups and downs of life.

If everything is impermanent, there's no point in clinging to something unpleasant and making those feelings last longer. It only creates more suffering for you.

Your current circumstances are transitional.

Whatever you're going through right now, it will pass. Things will change for the better. It always does. Don't automatically assume everything is doomed.

Shift your focus to things you can improve instead of worrying about things that are out of your control. When everything seems to be spinning out of control, the last thing you want to do is overanalyze how bad it is.

Ignoring your problems won't make them go away. But obsessing about your problems won't eliminate them either.

If you've already spent a lot of time thinking about your situation, recognize that the solution to your problems doesn't lie in ruminating over your problems.

Take a break from thinking about your problems.

Let your positive energy take charge. You will get through this.

2. You can control your reactions

Your mind may give you plenty of thoughts about what you should be scared of. But you don't have to accept those thoughts as the truth.

Most of your deepest pain and frustration will come from the way you respond in your everyday life.

You have complete control over how you react. And this makes all the difference.

You can control your emotional responses to unexpected situations in life. Each time you find yourself feeling irritated or anxious by an external event, take a few deep breaths and try to let it go.

Reacting with an anxious mind isn't going to do you any good. You're more likely to make bad decisions and end up feeling worse.

So try not to overthink things.

Instead of impulsively reacting to your circumstances, pause, and take some time to think about the most appropriate response.

Remember, your problems don't define who you are. They are something you experience. Even though the experience can be overwhelming, you are separate from your problems.

Train yourself to focus your mind more resourcefully. Trust that you can be happy again.

Just be here now. Pause and breathe. It's okay. You're going to be okay.

3. When things fall apart, it makes space for something better to emerge

When life changes around you, you start to look at life from a different perspective.

Life will always throw difficult situations at us. As much unsettling it might feel, unexpected changes make you step out of your usual patterns and routines.

You get the opportunity to make a fresh start and let go of anything that no longer serves you.

In a way, feeling lost and confused is a good thing because it pushes you to actually work towards finding clarity. In tough times, you begin to recognize what's truly important to you.

Strength comes from struggle.

Don't underestimate your inner strength. We all have this inherent ability to persevere in really difficult times.

You have risen above so many difficult situations in the past. You are stronger than you think.

4. Good things can still occur in bad times

When going through tough times in life, many of us start obsessing over the negative events and tell ourselves we can never be happy again.

However, if you remain fixated on the idea that everything sucks in your life and nothing will ever get better, you will ignore the good things that could be happening right in front of you.

Sincerely appreciate anything that's going well in your life. If life seems hard for you right now, it doesn't mean everything will wrong.

There must be something good in your life or someone who always brings a smile to your face. Focusing on the good things in life helps you become more resilient.

Embrace all the goodness you can find. Cherish those silly, tiny moments of happiness.

Keep believing that good times are coming.

5. Calmness is inside of you

No matter the external circumstances, you can always tap into your inner peace.

Maintaining your inner peace involves letting go of resentment and anger. Again, this doesn't mean that you won't feel these emotions. The key is to stop holding on to them. Just let them pass. Don't engage.

As you return to the present moment, your worries will begin to dissipate. Despite all the chaos, and confusion, and distractions, you can find stillness within yourself.

We don't know what tomorrow will bring. All we do have is the present. In the present, you can make a choice to be grateful and remain patient.

There's always a way out.

You never know, a new day might bring the much-needed solution to your problems. For a change, try entertaining the thought that maybe things aren't as bad as they seem. Let go and see what happens.



As I said at the beginning of the post, you're not alone in feeling scared and unsure.

We can all use a little more kindness and compassion right now.

Let's help each other in keeping it together. Speak kind words, lend an ear, offer help, and remain hopeful.

You got this!

How do you cope with stressful situations? 

Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!

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