In such a busy city like Singapore where the pace of life is so quick, it is easy to get lost in a web of stress and frustration. No matter how hectic my schedule gets though, I always make sure that I keep my inner peace.
Inner peace is widely known as “being mentally and spiritually at peace, with the knowledge and understanding of keeping oneself strong especially during tough times”.
So how do you attain inner peace amid all the hustle and bustle? Here are 3 ways that I do it:
1) Make sure you get enough ‘me’ time
If you don’t have any free time to chill, just take half an hour (or more if you can) to lie in bed and do nothing. Don’t get onto social media or start replying emails on your phone. Every night before I go to bed, I will lie for about an hour just listening to music or reading a book.
It is the time where I reflect on the day/week and not worry about anything. I always believe in decluttering the mind before I go to bed, so that I can sleep better.
Of course, it is best if you can find pockets of time for yourself in between your busy schedule. It can be doing an activity by yourself, such as taking a walk or watching a movie.
For me, my triathlon training is the time where I get to enjoy solitude. My phone is put away and all I focus on is my workout for that session. Sometimes I get distracted and my mind runs towards work, but I try as best as I can to push everything away and just be by myself.
Learn to enjoy your own company – that is the first step to help you find inner peace.
2) Find your favourite Zen spot
No matter how busy the city life is, there will be areas of quiet amid the urban jungle. It can be in a quiet corner of a park or by the poolside, or just a cosy corner at home. I have several Zen spots I like to go to – a café during non-peak hours, one of the breakwaters at East Coast Park, and the comfort of my own bed.
These are places that should ideally be far from the maddening crowd so you can have your own space without being disturbed. However, please be careful not to go to deserted places in the middle of the night by yourself!
3) Be more mindful
Another crucial aspect is to understand that you will not be truly at peace without understanding that your happiness is solely dependant on yourself. Be mindful of what matters most to you in life and then start shifting your priorities so that you give the most of yourself to these things that matter.
In prioritising my happiness, I constantly do a sanity check on whether doing certain things will make me happy – is it worth the sacrifice?
For me, I value self-worth, self-love and inner peace a lot, and I’ve learnt (through the hard way) that we need to start focusing on keeping our inner-self balanced. Once you’re at peace with yourself, the rest of your life will flow better.
Some ways to achieve that would be:
1) Cutting out toxic people from your life
2) Taking the step to love yourself
3) Surrounding yourself with positivity
Start doing more for yourself and stop rushing around doing everything for others. It is ok to be a little selfish at times, because if you can’t take care of yourself, how are you going to help others?
Most importantly, don’t let the influence of societal pressure or your ego determine the choices in your life. We all work hard to put food on the table and pay our bills, but money cannot buy everything. I’m not suggesting you resign immediately from your job but are you prioritising what’s most important to yourself?
Remember, YOU matter most.
CHALLENGE:
After spending long hours in a meeting room or at the desk, take a few minutes to stretch and relieve all the tension. One of my favourite stretches is the wheel pose (Urdhva Dhanurasana), a heart-opening backward bend that helps to open up the chest and improve breathing.
In conjunction with #TheOasiaChallenge, I’m challenging you to share your favourite stretch, and you may just be the lucky one to win a 3D2N stay at any Oasia hotel! Also, just for my beloved readers out there, the most creative entry will walk away with a special prize, so remember to tag me @cheryltaysg in your post! T&Cs apply.
Psst, there are more challenges this December that you can participate in – check out Oasia’s Facebook or Instagram (@StayOasia) for more.
For more information, visit Oasia’s website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
*This is a sponsored post.
