Reflecting on my journey toward becoming a significantly calmer and more centered person, I can’t help but acknowledge the ups and downs that have marked this path. It’s a journey that has required me to be intentional about my health and well-being and to actively work on calming my nervous system. This endeavor has been crucial for me to become the woman I aspire to be, even though I’m not perfect.
A few years ago, my husband often pointed out that I seemed stressed and anxious, which was understandable given my history of anxiety attacks due to extreme stress. On the other hand, my mom considered me quite calm compared to others in our family, who were more easily irritated. These differing perspectives highlighted the subjective nature of stress and calmness. Not everyone will pick up on these things, but the people who live with you will know!
Recognizing these viewpoints, I decided to take charge of my emotional health and track my progress with the help of my partner as my accountability buddy. As the saying goes, you cannot see the picture when you’re in the frame. It is nice to get an objective outside opinion.
Finding Inspiration and Setting Goals
One significant metric on my journey was feedback from a woman, who observed that my energy had shifted from murky and depleted to clearer and more vibrant. This feedback was a testament to the small yet significant changes I was making. My ultimate goal was to embody the presence of someone like my yoga teacher at the time (this was back in 2022), who exuded balance, happiness, and grounded energy.
Reprogramming My Brain
Understanding how our brains work was a pivotal part of my transformation. The brain is wired for protection, survival, and safety, often validating our beliefs and feelings. However, to thrive rather than merely survive, I needed to take control and become the programmer of my own life. This meant challenging negative thoughts and beliefs that weren’t serving me and focusing on how I wanted to feel.
I envisioned a future where I felt fit (like athlete level), happy, and abundant. By not putting limitations on what was possible, I could rewire my brain to support this vision. Consistent practice over eight months would be essential to establish a new, calm baseline per my theory.
Incorporating Breathwork, Meditation, and Yoga
Three key practices that transformed my journey were breathwork, meditation, and yoga. These practices helped me manage stress, improve my energy levels, and connect more deeply with my body and mind. Learning about trauma and how to heal it, especially through the works of experts like Professor Bessel van der Kolk, enriched my understanding of my own experiences and provided effective interventions for healing.
Embracing Qi Gong
Discovering Qi Gong was a game-changer. This practice, which involves moving meditation and breathwork, helped me transform stress into vitality. I learned that relaxation is our natural state, while stress is something we create, not intentionally of course. By becoming aware of where I held stress in my body—my shoulders and legs—and the circumstances that triggered it, such as financial worries or relationships, I could begin to address these issues more effectively.
Nature as a Healer
Nature also played a significant role in my journey. Walking barefoot on the earth, being around large bodies of water, breathing in the trees, watching sunsets, and gazing at the night sky helped me soak up positive energy and find peace. Slowing down allowed my body to heal and reset, further contributing to my sense of calm.
Continuous Growth and Challenges
Despite making significant progress, the journey wasn’t always smooth. There were moments of frustration, especially when dealing with household stressors or financial concerns. Yet, each challenge was an opportunity to practice the principles I was learning. Practicing Qi Gong consistently, even after setbacks like illness, reinforced my commitment to this path.
Reflecting on Progress
Reflecting on these months, I realized that my transformation was about more than just personal calmness. It was about understanding the deeper aspects of who I wanted to be and how I wanted to interact with the world. This journey required patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to face my fears and anxieties head-on.
Today, I feel more grounded, peaceful, and resilient. This journey has taught me that becoming a calm and centered person is a continuous process of growth and learning. By incorporating practices that nurture both the mind and body, and by understanding and healing from past traumas, I have created a foundation for a more balanced and fulfilling life. While I am not perfect, the dramatic increase in my calm and centeredness has made a profound difference in my life. I hope my story inspires others to embark on their own journey toward inner peace and well-being.
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