8 Ways to Create Peace Where You Live

We are almost halfway through 2020 and wow, has this year been crazy!

Raise your hand if over the last few months you’ve had temper tantrums, anxiety meltdowns, multiple cryfests, or just wanted to hide under your covers with a bowl of ice cream?

Yep, looks like that’s all of us!

So I thought something we all could use is some peace where we live.

The world is chaotic, but our homes should feel like a haven, a place to rest and recharge for our weary and sometimes really hurting family and friends. When the atmosphere of our workplace, city, and country feels broken and overwhelming, we can at least try to create a little bit of peace in our houses and neighborhoods.

Here are just a few things that have been helpful to me and some action steps if you feel like you need to DO something. I would love to hear how you’ve managed to create peace in your home too…

8 Ways to Create Peace Where You Live

1 / ONE KIND THING

Sometimes it feels like there are ao many problems in the world, you don’t even know where to start or what would even make a difference. Rather than getting overwhelmed and doing nothing, choose just one thing each week. One kind thing to do for someone you know or don’t know. One brave way to stand up for someone else. One gift to give to someone else. One kind message to encourage someone else. I know it sounds like a cat poster, but kindness is contagious! It builds bridges.

Action Step: Choose one kind thing you want to do to create change for someone else.

2 / Unplug

I don’t think we realize how much anxiety comes from being “plugged in” to social media, the news, opinions, and conflict all day long. We decided to start limiting how often we checked these things at our house and immediately saw improvements in how much peace we felt. This doesn’t mean you should avoid what’s going on in the world, but it doesn’t have to drain ALL your time and energy.

Action Step: Set Screen Time limits on your phone for social media or news apps. I shoot for about 15m a day.

3 / Structure

Having daily routines and predictability in our day can help us feel like things are “normal” even when there’s a lot going on. This is a really tough one for me because I like to keep my options open and mix things up. But I try to stick to routines and create structure because it helps my kids feel less anxious.

Action Step: Set reminders on your phone throughout the day to help you create daily routines. I use the Alarmed app to set reminders for each “block” of time in my day and then a checklist in the notes area for what I need to accomplish during that time.

4 / Music

Words and music are SO powerful. Sometimes our thoughts can sort of spiral us into depression or anxiety without us even realizing it. But listening to peaceful, inspiring, motivating, fun music can make all the difference in the day. It reminds us that there is hope and beauty even in the midst of chaos.

Action Step: Create a few positive playlists with songs that make you feel hopeful or at peace. Keep them playing during the times you tend to get down or stressed out.

5 / Play

Kids are not the only ones who need fun! As adults, we can forget that there is more to life than being busy, disciplined, focused, and getting things done. Work and responsibility are good but we also need rest and fun to recharge and energize us. Do something you love with someone you love just for fun.

Action Step: Get outside, go on a bike ride, read a book, paint a rainbow, laugh, have a dance party, eat a cookie, text a friend, kiss your spouse, have a water gun fight, tickle your kids, race your dog, have a picnic, jump on your bed.

6 / Forgive

Sometimes we don’t feel at peace because we feel hurt, anger, regret, or guilt. If a relationship is stealing your peace, maybe it’s time to forgive to make amends or move forward. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that whatever happened is okay with you. It means you’re choosing to no longer keep score or keep track of “debts” that feel owed to you. Holding on to hurt usually costs you a lot more than it costs the person who hurt you.

Action Step: Who do you need to forgive? Who do you need to ask forgiveness from? We all need it at some point.

7 / Calm

My son on the autism spectrum used to have huge meltdowns when he was little and we had to really experiment with different ways to bring him a sense of calm. Most of the time he just needed space and quiet away from everyone else to play. He also really loved burrowing under blankets. When you were little did you carry around a blanket or stuffed animal? Suck your thumb or use a pacifier? What items or atmospheres bring you a sense of calm, comfort and security now?

Action Step: Create cozy places in your house with things that bring you and your family calm, whether it be with soft blankets, pillows, candles, dim lighting, headphones or just quiet for when you each need space.

8 / Pray

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

When there is no earthly peace, we can still have a heavenly peace that comes from knowing Jesus. Our man-made peace depends on having the perfect circumstances, but His peace is available despite our circumstances. When it seems like there is no justice or no one who truly sees the hurt you carry, you can trust that He loves and sees you.

“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly…” Luke 18:7-8a

Action Step: Don’t lose heart. Keep praying and let His peace guard your heart and your mind through tough circumstances.