How to Find Stillness and Overcome Anxiety by Giving Yourself a Rest

What is it about being still that is so difficult? Now, if you were to ask me if I could sit on my couch and binge-watch a Netflix series or spend hours on Instagram in the same spot, I could, and sometimes do, that easily without a problem. But I am talking about the stillness of mind, body, and spirit. It is intentionally shutting out all distractions and quieting yourself internally. It is uncomfortable, unproductive, and disturbing. It is shockingly loud. Things bubble up to the surface, and you are confronted with the realities of what is happening within you without distraction or escape.

What have you found?

I found unchecked anxiety and rejection trying to take root. See, performing and producing is my choice of diversion. I am too busy. Have you seen what I did? Have you seen what I am doing? As if busyness can convince my sense of self that I am not lonely, do not feel rejected, and have value in what I do.

Quieting ourselves and being still makes us realize who we truly are in this moment. Now, it is not always bad. I have had some of the sweetest moments with God, seeing myself as He does. However, as we go into a season that has become increasingly busy and more disconnected, each of us must be aware of how and the way we are functioning.

I wrote Calm, sitting on the beach in Puerto Rico. I had just finished my devotional and was thinking of the things I needed to do for United Not Uniform. I need to write this post and make these edits – I was adding things to an overwhelming list of things to do. Shout to my fellow listers.

All of a sudden, I stared at the waves. It was as if everything else around me became still. I could hear my heartbeat, how it was racing, and breathing was becoming more sporadic.

Come

In the silence, I realized that this was meant to be a time of rest. In the silence, I realized that I had been resting for some time. Every waking moment of the day, I was working, studying, serving, and pushing myself beyond my limits. Sleep had left me as had joy. I was anxious. I was afraid. I was angry. I was desperate.

Come

Come Walk with Me

I closed my laptop – yes, I was crazy enough to bring a laptop to the beach! And started writing this poem. I walked along the beach, spread my toes in the sand, let my locs spring free, and float in the waves. I was reconnecting my body, mind, and soul with myself and my creator.

I wish I could say that I had that encounter, and I never experienced stress again. The end. Even now, as I am remembering this moment, I am encouraged that moments like this are not fleeting but always available if I am willing to choose to be still. Allowing whatever I am feeling and experiencing to surface so it can be released and replaced with love, joy, and hope. It is messy. And that is okay. Life is meant to be messy. Trust yourself enough to live fully and honestly. You will discover a joy that you never knew you could have.