Spring is here and while I am almost always happy to bid farewell to the dreary and cold winter days, I have to say that this spring, I am particularly grateful for the beauty of spring with all of it renewed hope and fresh blooms of new life.
While I have always worked very hard to achieve the ideals that I share with you, dear reader, this particular season has been a true reminder that even the best laid plans can go awry when life inevitably has other ideas for you.
How do you maintain a sweet and simple lifestyle when life hands you those proverbial lemons?
Living a simple life doesn’t mean avoiding hardship or unexpected events such as a terminal illness or other life altering diagnosis — it means facing them with clarity, acceptance, and hopefully, some degree of peace.
Here are some ways to stay grounded when life takes an unexpected turn.
Here and Now: Tragedy, loss and illness can truly be overwhelming — and can make long term planning both overwhelming and stressful.
Bring your attention to the right now — what you can do, how you feel, and what is within your control. Remember that no amount of regret will change anything — and neither will worrying about it.
If you need a good grounding hack for those moments when that worry takes over, keep the “5-4-3-2-1’ grounding action to steer your mind back into a healthy state of being.
While this comes in handy during moments of high anxiety, it can be a useful exercise to maintain your daily zen. Name five things you see, four things you feel, three things you hear, two things you smell, and one thing you taste. Another favorite of mine is box breathing. Box breathing, also known as square breathing, is a simple but effective deep breathing technique that helps reduce stress, improve focus, and promote relaxation.
It involves four equal steps: Inhale deeply through your nose for 4 seconds; hold your breath for 4 seconds; exhale slowly through your mouth for 4 seconds; and hold your breath again for 4 seconds.
Repeat this cycle for a few minutes to calm your nervous system and regain focus.
Create daily habits: When our lives become out of balance, it is important to get back to basics. Making small tweaks can make a major difference toward achieving that inner peace, A few easy daily habits to add to your routine include the following:
Single-Tasking: Single-tasking is a powerful approach to boosting productivity and mindfulness. Unlike multitasking, which divides attention and can reduce efficiency, single-tasking helps you stay fully engaged in one task at a time. You will find better focus, deeper concentration, increased quality of work and less stress overall! While that may go against how you have planned your tasks in the pace, you may find, particularly during high stress times, that this approach will make you more efficient in general and help you really engage fully in each task.
Pause & Observe: When life gets overwhelming, taking time to check in on yourself can be a task you simply overlook but taking short pauses throughout the day can help you break out of autopilot mode and become more present. These 10-second check-ins act as a reset button for your mind and body, helping you stay grounded and aware of the moment. This is a simple but very effective mindfulness activity. First, hit the pause button — stop for a moment, whether you’re working, walking, eating, or scrolling. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a second, and exhale slowly. Ask yourself how you are feeling. Are you relaxed, tired, energized or tense?
What is happening around you? After a few seconds, go ahead and gently reset. If you’re tense, relax your shoulders. If your mind is racing, focus on your breath.
If you’re overwhelmed, remind yourself, I am here, and this moment is enough. Go back to whatever you were doing but with a fresh perspective,
Peace Each Day: When life throws unexpected challenges your way, it’s easy to be hard on yourself, to feel like you need to be strong all the time. But just as you would comfort a friend in pain, you deserve that same care and understanding. Acknowledge your emotions without judgment — they are part of being human.
And no matter how overwhelming things may feel, life keeps moving forward.
Pain, uncertainty, and fear are never permanent. Even in the hardest moments, trust that you are finding your way, step by step. You don’t have to have all the answers — just focus on what you can do today. If you need some tangible to-do’s to help this, instead of a to do list, create a “Let It Go” list. Feel free to channel your favorite Frozen character when you do this. Write down worries, frustrations, or things outside your control. Then, crumple the paper or delete the note — symbolizing a release. While you are crumpling that paper, go ahead and try the 10-Second Smile Trick. Even if you don’t feel like it, smiling for 10 seconds (even a fake smile) can trick your brain into feeling better by releasing endorphins. It works! Finally, no matter how rough the day, end each day with a grateful heart. Before bed, think of three things — big or small — that you’re grateful for. This shifts your focus from stress to appreciation.
Finding peace in the midst of life’s challenges doesn’t require drastic changes — it’s about small, intentional shifts in mindset and daily habits. By embracing simplicity, practicing self-kindness, and focusing on the present moment, we can create a sense of calm even during difficult times.
Whether it’s deep breathing, letting go of what we can’t control, or savoring small moments of joy, peace is always within reach.
The key is to take things one step at a time, trusting that life moves forward and that we have the strength to navigate whatever comes our way.
(Editor’s Note: Kristine George is a freelance journalist who resides in Easton.)
