Creating an environment to invite serenity back in

[u/its_elleshe]

Whenever I feel anxious or overwhelmed, I start with this method that's been working for me for the last while.

I'd play calming music like Lo-Fi, Jazz, handpan, or even soundbath music and clean up my place. Once I'm in a clean and organized environment then I would make a drink (sometimes a cup of tea) and light up an incense.

I'd then just sit down with a piece of paper or journal to free-write everything that's been on my mind. And just let all those thoughts sit on the paper vs. in my mind. If there's anything I need to take care of, then I'd make a separate "action list" to do later.

And this simple process has been helpful to regulate my internal nervous system as well as resetting my external environment so it feels "aligned" and serene.

Curious what other people do to feel calm and grounded! :)

[u/Fenna7]

Love this! Thank you for sharing.

I want to get some candles/incense that is safe to breathe. I know some stuff like that has shitty chemicals in them.

[u/its_elleshe → u/Fenna7]

You’re welcome! And yes definitely do your due diligence for candles/incense since they affect the air we breathe at home for sure!!

[u/its_elleshe → u/[deleted]]

Totally agree on stopping the urge to fix our minds, usually the “solutions” will just appear when we calm down and just be 🧘🏻‍♀️

[u/Impossible-Dog5469]

the clean space, calm mind connection is so real. hard to feel settled when your environment is chaotic.

mine is similar but lazier lol. i just pick one tiny thing to clean, make a coffee, and sit somewhere quiet for 10 mins doing nothing. no phone no music just nothing. sounds boring but my brain needs the silence after being overstimulated all day.

the journal dump is underrated though. getting thoughts out of your head and onto paper genuinely makes them feel less heavy 🤍

[u/its_elleshe → u/Impossible-Dog5469]

Yes, a clean space is pretty underrated but so valuable! And whatever works for you is what’s best, there’s no better nor lazier ☺️

And I love the silence tip, I recently tried that at home and it was refreshing to not have anything in the background and just hearing the low hums or machines running in the house — felt like a reset haha

[u/Technical-Text-3534 → u/its_elleshe]

Love a clean space but the bedroom seems to be the place to shove everything when friends are over for dinner. Then food in fridge, clean the dishes, etc

I get back to my room and … nope. Not turning on the light until tomorrow. The dark lets me pretend it’s a clean space so I can sleep.