Finding Inner Peace in Simple Joys

16 March 2025

"Peace isn’t always about big changes; it’s about appreciating the small, simple joys around us."

I thought working from home would give me more peace of mind and time, but I was wrong. It gives me more uncertainty, instability, confusion, and mental stress.

As I questioned in the recent LOH 226 Contest:

How do you achieve inner peace despite busy life and daily struggles?

Since day one, I have never created a question for the LOH community contest that doesn't relate to my personal life. So, each time I ask the ladies of Hive questions, you should know by now that I am dealing with the same situation.

They say that finding peace can bring balance and happiness to our lives. That is, of course, true. However, the process of finding peace isn't as easy as we think it is. Whether you admit it or not, things like this are easier said than done.

I've been struggling to maintain my inner peace for months now. Fear of being left behind kept coming in, which I thought I had buried in the past already, especially seeing my colleagues' happy and successful lives posted on social media. Fear of uncertainty triggers my anxiety, especially when thinking about the wrong decision I keep making again and again, as if I am not learning from the past's lessons. As if my personal growth stopped and I am stuck again in misery. Sometimes, I question why people who like helping always suffer. We always live to endure pain and suffering. A never-ending challenge.

However, I keep thriving because, despite making mistakes and wrong decisions, I also have dreams and goals, especially since I am a breadwinner.

So, how do I achieve inner peace despite my busy life and daily struggles?

We all have different ways of finding our own peace. Some people relax by reading books, listening to music, or practicing meditation. Others spend time in nature, alone or with loved ones. The goal is to recognize what brings us peace of mind and calmness in our daily hustle.

Finding Peace in Music

Listening to music has always been my first way of calming my mind and regaining my inner peace when all other ways seem impossible. I easily get overwhelmed, but resources are sometimes limited to materialize what I want at certain moments when I need a break from everything else. I would simply put on my headset, tap my phone, sit at the corner of my bed, look out the window, or close my eyes and listen to soothing music. Sometimes, getting lost in calming soft songs is enough to reset my day.

Finding Comfort in Food

It is undeniable that comfort food is effective in warming the soul. I guess, many of us here would agree. And since I am at home, I am not alone in this. Sometimes, my mom notices that I am stressed, and she cooks something to warm up my mood. She makes sweet soup or homemade snacks to comfort my agitated mind.

Sometimes, I would go out with my siblings and niece to find comforting foods. Doing so also an opportunity to create shared moments and new memories with them. That is something I appreciate the most now that I am home.

Connecting with Nature

Sometimes, we just really need a break from the chaotic world. Walking in nature, sitting by the river, or riding on a ferry is my easiest way to connect with nature nowadays. I used to go hiking back when I was abroad whenever I felt too overwhelmed. I sometimes took the chance to reflect, think, and simply appreciate my surroundings. Every hike I did was a chance to regain my soul and relax my mind before returning to the reality below the mountain.

Appreciating Small, Simple Joys

Sometimes, we find ways to regain our inner peace in other things when the solution is just actually around us. The truth is, we only need to enjoy the little things in life to be at peace and stop worrying about things beyond our control. The smile of my mom whenever I am tired, and the laughter of my niece whenever I am pissed off, are simple things that bring my inner peace back in control.

The world itself is already complicated. Let's not make our lives even harder. Let's always focus on finding inner peace in simple joys around us.

Thanks for your time.

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