3 ways to add quiet to your day

by Alysa Bajenaru

Quiet. It’s my word of the year. I chose quiet because I am so horribly awful at it.

A creative multi-tasking worrier at heart, sitting still with a quiet mind is difficult for me.

But in the journey towards simplifying my life, I found quiet to be exactly what my heart and soul are craving.

Because it doesn’t come naturally to me, I have to intentionally find ways to add quiet to my days.

Here are three of them:

1. De-Clutter.

It is nearly impossible for me to have a quiet spirit in a house that is overflowing with clutter. In fact, sometimes clutter is the number one reason my mind can’t settle down.

While I am not a super-organized person, the more I can simplify the amount of “stuff” in our house, the easier it is for me to find those quiet moments.

2. The 5-Minute Timer.

Set your phone timer for five minutes. Find a quiet place (the back porch, your bedroom, your closet). Take a deep breath, close your eyes and sit still.

Force your mind to relax into noticing the stillness around you. Don’t let your thoughts wander to your to-do list. Focus on the quiet.

I was challenged by my yogi friend Jennifer to do this, and honestly thought I would hate it. But it felt wonderful to let my mind relax, and five minutes went faster than I thought it would.

3. Say no.

Just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should. Practice saying no until your schedule clears enough to even have a chance to sit in the quiet.

When every day is packed to the gills, there is no time for a soul reset. Plan time for rest, even if it’s just the five-minute timer.

The more I intentionally make room for quiet, the more peace I discover in my heart and mind.

And suddenly, life becomes a little more simple.

Psst... I'm launching an e-course soon. Wanna be one of the first to find out when it's out in the world? Head here. Let's learn stuff together!

-Tsh

Friends of The Art of Simple:

Bought Beautifully. - Positively Impact the World Through Your Daily Choices.
Stay at Home Yoga. - A Virtual Yoga Studio.
Faire Crafts. - Art Kits for Adults.
She Plans Dinner. - Taking the Planning Out of Dinner.

3 ways to add quiet to your day is a post from The Art of Simple