How To Stay Grounded During Difficult Times

Approximate Reading Time: 5 minutes

A couple of years ago I found myself reading every book on the mindfulness subject and watching every youtube on how to stay in a moment. I have been introduced to the concept that problems do not exist in the present moment. And this simple sentence changed my life completely. I learned how to be more present, how to appreciate the small things, and treat myself like I would treat my best friend. I still have a long way to go, and I still experience anxiety just like most of us do, but I am a lot kinder to myself now.

9 months ago I embarked on my dream journey and that is van life. Two months into exploring Europe, I magically found my dream job, and my next chapter began. I worked full time from the comfort of my van with flexibility to choose when I wan to work. This allowed me to make the most of the van life and outdoors whilst still having a job. I felt grateful but managing both and always being on the go was a a lot so I started to feel burned out. I loved my job and every day I did my best there. I also loved being outdoors so I felt like I was running a marathon every single day. While my body was begging me to slow down, it didn’t take long for this chapter to come to an end. Last week I was made redundant.

Since my announcement on social media, I was surprised to receive so many messages. People were asking about how it happened, what the company did to support me, and also messages from people who have been made redundant so close to Christmas just like me. I have had quite a few questions about how I am handling it so well so I thought I would share my approach to mindfulness with you.

Practicing mindfulness over the past couple of years has been a game-changer for me, especially during this difficult time of redundancy. It has helped me stay grounded, find peace in the present moment, and navigate the ups and downs with a little more kindness. If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I strongly advise you to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. It has made a significant difference for me, and I hope it can do the same for you. 

Here are a few of my favourite ways to stay grounded: 

1. Meditation is one of the most common and effective methods of practicing mindfulness. You can begin by focusing on your breath or a mantra for a few minutes each day. 

A few mantra examples: 

Guided Meditations that I practice regularly:

2. Body scan: Lie down or sit comfortably and pay attention to each part of your body, beginning with your toes and progressing to the top of your head. Acknowledge any areas of tension or discomfort and try to relax them.

3. Take a few deep breaths while paying attention to the sensation of the air moving in and out of your body. Rather than allowing your mind to wander, try to stay focused on your breathing. I love Wim Hof for breath-work.

4. Walking mindfully means paying attention to the sensation of your feet hitting the ground and the movement of your body. Try to stay in the moment and pay attention to your breathing.

5. Gratitude journal: Every day, take a few minutes to write down three things you are grateful for. This can assist you in shifting your focus to the positive aspects of your life and cultivating a sense of gratitude.

6. Read a good book. Some of my all-time favourites are:

• The Gift: 14 Lessons to Save Your Life by Dr. Edith Eva

• Everything That Makes Us Human: Case Notes of a Children’s Brain Surgeon by Jay Jayamohan

• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

• Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

• Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

• The Untethered Soul by Michael Alan Singer

• Chatter by Ethan Kross

So there you have it! All of the steps are extremely simple and can be completed in as little as a few minutes per day or for as long as you are comfortable with.

As much as I enjoy breathwork, it is not yet a part of my daily routine. I’ve found that if I’m in a stressful situation over which I have no control, breathing exercises help me detach from the stress and move forward.

It proves that you do not have to implement every ritual you read about, but rather choose the one that best fits your daily routine.

Try it for yourself and let me know how it goes!