For quite a while a few years ago I started to feel a lack of enthusiasm for life, and I guess now in hindsight I can say I had probably felt that way for quite a while longer than I realised. It is funny how you go along in life just accepting that it’s normal to feel sluggish, or have a lack of motivation, but as much as I thought it was ‘normal’ for me to feel it, I resented it greatly.
I found I was getting more, and more fed up with myself, I felt like I just needed a huge shot of energy, yet I couldn’t seem to find it, or grasp why I was feeling the way I was! It felt like I was trading water, my body was struggling to keep my head above water.
Hitting rock bottom. It is often said that people need to hit ‘rock bottom’ before they can start climbing to the top, well I am sure I could have allowed myself to fall further, but I realised that I couldn’t do that, I had 3 little people, and a fabulous man I needed to stay motivated for. But it can’t just be about other people, I needed to be happy and fulfilled for myself! If I was going to be motivated to live a healthier life mentally and physically, I needed to start thinking of myself.
What is wrong? When I would say to anyone (and I didn’t openly say it much), that I was feeling ‘not myself‘, they would naturally want to ask “what is wrong?” I would answer, “nothing!” Confusing I know, but the thing is my life was great on paper, I had a happy marriage, happy, healthy children, an awesome family, and friends who I have the best time with, OK so we were not rolling in money, but that never bothered me, we have a beautiful home, and food to eat, so when I was asked the question of “what is wrong”, I was left feeling confused, and I felt I couldn’t even begin to understand what was in fact wrong with me!
This is where ‘Inner Peace’ comes in, because it was inner peace that I was lacking. But how do I gain inner peace was the question I asked myself! I couldn’t think of what I was missing! I started jotting down my thoughts and found the inspiration to keep jotting things down, then on a 2 week tropical holiday, with no schedule, no running around, and a blissfully relaxed family I had all this time to write, so I did! I started writing a novel that I had wanted to write for a long time, and I couldn’t stop. The more I wrote, the more I wanted to write, and surprisingly the happier I was becoming.
I finally allowed myself to delve into what I wanted, more than that, what I needed! I gave myself permission to follow a dream I had long pushed aside, and not just because life got busy, but because I felt I didn’t deserve to indulge in my dreams. I had to allow myself to be happy, we need to give ourselves permission to follow our dreams.
We need to allow ourselves permission to find happiness and inner peace.
What is ‘Inner Peace’? Inner peace is almost like a feeling of ‘coming home‘, it is not somewhere you need to go, to travel to, or to find, it is about realising what was “inside you all along”.
It is a feeling of inner strength, coming to understand that you are capable of handling whatever is coming your way. It is about letting go of worries about the future, or regrets from the past, just being in the present moment. Nothing needs to be said or done, just feel where you are, and open yourself up to what life is saying to you in the present moment.
Meditation and Mindfulness. Meditation is about trying to find a deep sense of peace, clarity, quiet, and seeing the true nature of things. What we need to let go of though is our ‘expectation‘ of how we thought things should be.
No one can tell you, nor can they describe to you how you will feel whilst meditating because we each have our own unique experience of it. If I say you will feel a certain way and you don’t then you will think you are doing it wrong, but there is no right way! It is about having “your own sense” of peace.
Mindfulness is gaining popularity in the mediation world and for good reason. Mindfulness recognises that when we meditate we are likely to have thoughts crop up, and instead of saying “it is not working because I was distracted by a sound, or felt a pain and now I’ve failed at it”, mindfulness tells us that these distractions are normal, that our minds are thinking machines, we can acknowledge the sensation or thought, and then simply direct ourselves back to our breathing.
Mindfulness is a great way to introduce yourself to mediation and help you find inner peace. There are some amazing books, one I recommend for beginners is Quiet the Mind, by author Matthew Johnstone, it is great for beginners.
When you open yourself up, when you quiet your mind, and when you truly listen to what you need and let go of expectation, you will find your inner peace.
Do you have any tips to share on finding inner peace? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.
Thanks for joining me, love Mackenzie xx
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21 comments
Inspiring post, Mac. I have been treading water for a while now and feeling the strain of it all. I know I can only continue if I keep on holding on.
I found myself nodding along with you because I was in a similar situation – perfect life on paper, but a sense of something missing and not knowing what that was. When I finally let go of the fear and allowed my artist soul to take wings, I finally found my inner peace.
My Mrs., she is in this space of inner turmoil and un-ease. She could use a dose of your mindfulness during these turbulent times. I am so happy for you Mac. Leading the way in #livingfearlesslyauthentic <3 <3 <3 #mg
I needed this today MG. I am feeling so drained out. I think as you said- I hit the rock bottom and now I will not drown further. I need to do this for my loved ones and above all, myself. Its corroding me inside.
This post is beautifully written and really resonates. Your posts are always so inspiring, without patronizing or sounding smug. This makes them so lovely to read. Mindfulness is such an interesting concept and one that I want to explore more – when I have the time (Haha, the irony!) It is wonderful that you have found your inner peace through writing – me too. Alison x #mg
I loved your post, Mac. It spoke to me because I feel I’ve been there too, looking for that elusive ‘peace’. The School of Hard Knocks has taught me that peace resides within us in much the same way as any other feeling…all we got to do is establish that connection with our inner core to discover that. I enjoy spending time with and amidst nature, connecting with like-minded people, living life to the full, being mindful, meditating and reflecting on happy moments to find that inner peace. It works for me always!
Really interesting post and something I’ve been thinking about recently. I’m afraid I don’t have lots of tips for you but I’m working on my inner peace so will let you know when I do!
X
I love this post, although when people talk about inner peace I always think of Kung -fu Panda. Sorry!
This is so beautiful and I can relate to so much of it. I have battled for years to find inner peace and as much as I think I have come such a long way in recent years, I still don’t feel that I am *quite* there. I will never stop searching for it though, and this post has reminded me why it is so important to keep going. Thank you Mac. #mg xxx
SO inspiring and wonderful!
Amen! Overwhelmed would ne an understatement right about now.
#mg
I’d love to find my inner peace, I don’t remember the last time I ever felt it – or if I’ve ever felt it! I definitely need to practice mindfulness more. #mg
Beautifully put. I can relate to the sense of everything being perfect “on paper.” And you just want to shake yourself out of it, but you can’t. Tapping into the unmet need is a wonderful thought and such wise advice. Thank you for sharing your insight! #mg
I think one of the biggest challenges as a mother is to find any inner peace. We are always pushing our needs aside to get things done for the kids. It’s actually very stressful. I think you are right that we need to grant ourselves permission to follow our dreams. I’ve been grappling with this for some time. I found your blog post very inspiring! #mg
Mrs Tubbs, I always think of Kung Fu Panda too!! But it’s so true, no matter how hard you strive for inner peace, there will always be interruptions. That’s ok though, you just go back to where you left off and keep on the journey
I love this I really want to start practising mindfulness, especially with my eldest daughter as I think she would benefit hugely from it. Sarah #mg
Such an interesting read. Mindfulness is something I’d like to learn more about and adopt. Life can get very busy and heads, very crowded. #mg
Your posts always leave me thinking. I’m not sure whether I’ve experienced meditation yet. I’ve been in rooms where there’s been guided ones but I’ve never been sure whether I’ve been doing it right. #mg
This is gorgeous Mac, and it’s very similar to what I’ve published today on Cuddle Fairy – about living now & being mindful of your thoughts & feelings. It sure makes a huge difference! #mg
Ohh the whole treading water thing..I totally get that. I would love to find inner peace and I’m feeling a bit all of the place right now. Perhaps I’ll give meditation and a try #mg xx
To find your inner peace you need to love yourself. I always thought this was really hard to do, but until you take time to look after yourself, put yourself first sometimes and follow your dreams then it’s so hard to find the peace you seek. You are so right about Mindfullness, it’s meditation but on a different level. In a world when no-one seems to have time to sit down for ten minutes and banish all thoughts to meditate then mindfullness is the answer.
#mg
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