Seeking Stillness
I mentioned in my last podcast episode that since I was in high school, I have always sought out stillness. Maybe I’m a sensitive soul, but the constant noise, hustle and bustle, endless to-do lists, rushing here and there could be overwhelming to me even as a teenager… and that was before smart phones and pervasive social media. I remember the absolute luxury of sitting out side Starbucks as a teenager and simply people watching… for hours. I remember strolling through Barnes and Noble, stopping to flip through whatever book caught my attention, without ever checking the time.
Now, I’m a busy creative with two kids and a dog. I run my own business and I share in the management of the family and house. If I people watch outside of Starbucks, you can be absolutely certain I set a 10 minute timer on my watch first. I can easily pack my schedule so full that even the idea of stillness sounds like a joke.
But, that’s simply unacceptable.
I’ve decided that it’s unacceptable because I’ve done it. I have ran myself ragged. I have overbooked myself. I have been the busiest person I know. I have gotten caught up in the hustle culture.
It’s not worth it.
Here’s what’s sacrificed at the altar of packed schedules: Creativity. Great ideas. Reflection. Growth. A capacity to give. Space to evaluate. Intentional action (verses knee-jerk reaction).
Those things are way, way too valuable. Protect them by making room for stillness.
I shared some great insights from Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday* in the last podcast, but here are some ways that I personally seek stillness in my life:
I start early. This one was hard to implement, but it has become the best way to start my day and I actually crave it. Every day starts with an hour of stillness. This doesn’t mean I sit still. I actually start by exercising, but I keep tech out of it and I get still in my mind and in my body. (I share about my new routine in podcast episode 087!)
I journal. This is an every day occurrence, but it is especially vital when I feel like my head is a crowded, busy place with my thoughts and feelings. Journaling helps me release them, analyze their truthfulness, and put things in perspective. It helps me reach that stillness of mind.
I take a midday walk. This is also a tech free time. The dog and I stroll out and observe nature, feel the wind on our faces, and bask in the sunlight.
I drive in silence. I don’t do this every time, but I probably do it about half the time that I am alone in the car. If you always have music or a podcast going - driving in silence is such a weird sensation!
Sundays are different. I don’t engage in any business activities on Sunday and I restrict my tech usage severely. This allows for a huge amount of time for stillness in the week.
This one is my favorite:
I arrive early. This may not seem like a stillness tactic, but it is. Wherever I’m going, I aim to get there 10-15 minutes early. Depending on what I’m doing, I may use this time to center myself. I may use this time to read, journal, or draw. If I’m picking up the girls, I’m using this time to put away all my thoughts of work and be present for my girls. I use that time of stillness as a dividing line. No matter what my day was like, no matter if I finished my to-do list or not, no matter if I booked the client or not… I prepare myself for my most important role: Mom.
The stillness makes everything else possible. The stillness opens space for inspiration and solutions. The stillness is a quiet power that must be sought out, respected, and protected.
Journal on this: What can you do to create more stillness in your day?
hugs + kisses,
Megan Bauer