Adrian Volenik
For many, being at peace with themselves is an unreachable goal. They practice self-compassion and mindfulness, and yet it’s simply out of reach.
To find out if you’re at peace with yourself, I’ve researched and compiled a list of behaviors.
These will show you how close you are to inner peace or if you even reached your goal already.
Let’s start!
1) You savor small moments
Ask anyone who’s really content with life, and they’ll tell you that it’s the small moments in life that count.
Close your eyes and try seeing the highlight reel of your life. You know, like they show in movies when the protagonist’s life is in grave danger.
What can you see? The smile on your partner’s face? The first trip to the ocean with your parents? Your first or current pet?
You see what I’m getting at? You aren’t picturing your work, house, car, or anything like that.
If you practice mindfulness by savoring simple, everyday experiences, you’re already at peace with yourself.
You’re taking a moment to fully appreciate the taste of a meal, the feeling of sunshine on your skin, or the laughter of a loved one.
All of these enrich your life.
2) You’re embracing minimalism
People who have inner peace don’t need many things in life. Their homes typically aren’t cluttered. At least not so much as the rest of the people’s homes.
To achieve inner peace, you need to simplify your surroundings and reduce chaos, whether physical possessions or digital distractions.
Minimalism creates a sense of clarity, calm, and focus in your environment. When you finally stop chasing the newest and the best, all that’s left is contentment.
You start being happy with what you already have.
3) You use technology deliberately
Technology can quite easily distract us from what’s really important in life. In fact, how can you even stay focused on anything when you look at your phone once every three minutes?!
We now check our phones four times as much as we did before the pandemic. 352 times per day vs. 96 times before the pandemic.
Does that sound like people are at peace with themselves? Hardly.
So, if you use technology intentionally and mindfully, we can say you’re more at peace than the rest of the nation.
You probably set boundaries for screen time, prioritize meaningful interactions over digital ones, and ensure that technology enhances your well-being instead of detracting from it.
4) You’re creating rituals
Some people get out of bed in the morning, quickly get ready, and go to work.
Not you. You have meaningful rituals that add structure and intention to your day. Whether it’s a morning journaling session or an evening walk, you have created a sense of comfort, continuity, and mindfulness with your little rituals.
5) You have connected with nature
Spending some time outdoors to reconnect with the natural world is something we should all do. Each day.
Nature has a grounding effect, reduces stress, and encourages a sense of awe and wonder.
However, that’s not always possible. But if you have a special connection with flora and fauna or even like to stargaze regularly, you’re probably already at peace with yourself.
6) You practice gratitude
Some people regularly reflect on the things they’re grateful for. Others, never. Who do you think is more content and at peace with themselves?
Practicing gratitude shifts your focus to the positive aspects of life, enhances your overall mood, and cultivates a sense of joy.
Regularly spending some time reminiscing and being thankful for what you have is a great way to ground yourself.
Coupled with nature walks and spending quality time with my family, I believe that practicing gratitude has been the most responsible for me being the happiest and more content than ever.
7) You’re exploring and cultivating passions
Exploring unfamiliar subjects or activities ignites your curiosity, promotes learning, and introduces fresh perspectives into your life.
Do you agree?
People at peace dedicate time and effort to the activities that truly resonate with their passions.
Cultivating their passions gives them a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment, allowing them to express their authentic self.
8) You enjoy solitude and reflection
I love carving out moments of solitude for self-reflection, meditation, or quiet contemplation. These moments allow me to connect with my inner thoughts, emotions, and aspirations.
Because I now have less and less time for uninterrupted solitude, I appreciate it more than ever, as it helps me stay calm in the midst of chaos.
9) You appreciate slow activities
I’d argue that most people can’t enjoy the present moment anymore. Their minds and eyes go toward their phones, and they often keep only an eye and maybe half an ear on the person they’re talking to.
But people with inner peace embrace activities that encourage them to slow down and be fully present.
Slow activities, such as reading a book, tending to a garden, or cooking a meal from scratch, develop mindfulness and appreciation for the process.
They enjoy talking to their friends and pay full attention. Are you the same, or do you fall in the first group?
And let me ask you this: Do you pay attention to your senses? How do you interact with the world?
I’m only asking because if you indulge in sensory experiences, like visiting a botanical garden or enjoying a soothing bath, you have a heightened awareness of the present moment.
10) You enjoy deep conversations
Another thing that shows someone is truly at peace with themselves is enjoying deep conversations.
I, for example, love having conversations with people, even strangers, that delve beyond surface-level topics.
Meaningful conversations like these encourage self-expression, empathy, and a sense of connection with others.
When you have inner peace, you can put yourself in other people’s shoes. You can get their perspective more easily, even when you disagree with them.
That’s something that’s lacking in the world of cancel culture, outrage, and culture wars. These days, you’re either with us or against us.
They truly did divide and conquer us.
11) You support others
Talking about our fellow humans, there should be more support between us, shouldn’t there?
When you offer your time and support to friends, family, or your community, you promote a sense of belonging and purpose.
Even small acts of kindness benefit both the recipients and your own well-being. In fact, the key to happiness is helping others.
Unfortunately, most people still don’t realize this and only look out for themselves or even undermine others.
12) You engage in mindful movement
And finally, engaging in mindful movement practices like yoga, tai chi, or qigong combines physical exercise with mindfulness.
These practices enhance your body awareness, reduce stress, and promote relaxation. I, personally, am a big proponent of yoga.
I’ve been doing it for many years, and it has truly helped me get out of my shell more confidently.
Most people I know who have inner peace don’t go to the gym but practice one of these more or less relaxing exercises.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, you might not display any of these behaviors and still be at peace with yourself.
For all I know, you could be a couch potato stuffing your face with potato chips and having incredible inner peace.
And that’s the beauty of life. Everyone has a different life journey, and there isn’t one right way of doing things and living life.
