Mondays With Mattea — Finding Peace Within Chaos

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Peace and serenity are two of the greatest gifts recovery can bring. And although we often want to think these gifts should be present in the world around us, they usually aren’t, creating chaotic situations, conversations and days that seem so far from the life of peace we’re trying to maintain in recovery.

But recovery is about maintaining your inner peace, even in the midst of chaos. 

It’s easier said than done, and like everything else in your recovery, requires practice and intentional effort. Peace isn’t something you can simply hope for — it’s something you need to work for, surround yourself in, and live every day. 

Here are some helpful ways to maintain your inner peace:

  • Slow down and breathe.
    Before you do anything else, if you find yourself in a chaotic situation today, remember to stop what you’re doing and take a deep breath in and exhale out. If the situation around you is causing you stress, you first need to find your own internal calm to make a healthy next step towards peace.

  • Find (and maintain) your routine.
    I find keeping a routine keeps me balanced. Whether it’s the simple things like eating breakfast or spending 15 minutes to reflect and drink a cup of coffee before the day starts, find a routine that works for you and helps you stay calm and collected during tough times.

  • Control what you can, let go of the rest.
    Not all control is bad. Some is healthy, and it’s important to focus on that. The catch? We can only control ourselves. So in uncertain times, control how you react — how you think and respond to the circumstances around you. Then, let the rest go.

    Letting go is a choice you must make, deciding that you can no longer dwell on things out of your control but instead focusing on what you can. Letting go creates space for new things, while keeping you calm and centered. 

Peace doesn't always come from peaceful situations. Instead, it often comes from being able to find peace within any situation — and that starts with you.