If you really want to find inner peace, start doing these 8 things every day

Finding inner peace often feels like a never-ending pursuit in today’s fast-paced, always-connected world. 

You might have tried meditations, self-help books, or even a beach vacation to escape the noise, only to find that peace slipping through your fingers. 

But what if it isn’t about a grand gesture or an elusive state of mind? What if it’s about simple daily practices that anyone can follow?

In this article, I’ll share eight actionable, everyday habits that can help you find inner peace. With these small steps, you can cultivate a sense of calm, balance and happiness. 

Let’s check them out! 

1) Embrace simplicity

The world has trained us to think that more is better. More possessions, more activities, more commitments – they are all signs of a life well-lived, right? 

Not so for me. 

What I’ve realized is that oftentimes, “more” just makes life more overwhelming than it should be. “More” makes our spaces and minds cluttered, so much so that we can’t feel at peace. 

Think about it: why do monks and Zen masters choose to live a simple life? 

Because it cuts through all the noise and distractions, clearing away the path to peace and enlightenment. 

Now you don’t have to go and build a cabin in the mountains (but if you want to, by all means, go for it!). You can simply start by: 

• Decluttering your personal space
• Freeing your schedule of unnecessary commitments
• Limiting your use of technology
• Identifying what truly matters to you and focusing on that

Once you’ve gotten the hang of embracing simplicity, you’d be surprised how much calmer and more present you’ll feel. 

2) Practice mindfulness

This is a huge part of being more present. As I mentioned earlier, life can feel so overwhelming – our minds are often pulled in a million directions, leading to stress and disconnection. 

But once again, let’s turn to the Zen masters for a simple remedy: mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the act of being fully present in the moment, without judgment. It’s about tuning in to the here and now, and it’s something you can practice anytime, anywhere.

If this is a new concept for you, here’s how to cultivate the practice of mindfulness: 

• Dedicate a few minutes each day to mindfulness practice. Focus on your breath, sensations in your body, or the sounds around you.

• Use everyday activities. Mindfulness doesn’t have to be a separate task. Incorporate it into daily activities like washing dishes, walking, or eating. Pay full attention to what you’re doing, and if your mind wanders, gently bring it back.

• Try a guided meditation. You might find apps or online guides to be helpful and make the process more approachable for you. 

Remember, mindfulness isn’t about emptying your mind or achieving a specific state; it’s about being present and aware. 

Like any skill, it takes practice, but the rewards—a sense of calm, clarity, and connection—are well worth the effort.

3) Foster genuine connections

All that talk about monks and Zen masters might have you thinking that you can only get inner peace by isolating yourself. 

Not at all. 

In fact, one of the requirements of inner peace is to have strong relationships. Because the truth is, we’re not meant to go through life alone. 

The key is to nurture connections that are good for you. That means surrounding yourself with positive people and letting go of toxic ones. 

4) Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

This might sound like a no-brainer; I mean, by now we should all know to be thankful for our blessings, right? 

And yet, so many people forget just how much they have and focus on what they don’t have. 

The result? A constant feeling of dissatisfaction. Like life has done them wrong. 

To find inner peace, turn that pessimistic outlook upside down. Think about what’s going right in your life, no matter how small. 

I once read a poster that encapsulated this so well. I can’t remember it word for word, but it went something like this: 

“If you feel bad your house is messy, think of your family having fun in it.

If you complain about having to cook dinner, think of the time when you didn’t have money for food. 

If you hate your job, think of what you’d pay the bills with if you didn’t have it.”

Basically, it’s all about reframing things in a positive light. Remembering to be grateful daily can make a huge difference in the way you think and feel. 

5) Consume positive media

While we’re on the topic of positivity, take a look at what you consume online. 

Do you have a tendency to doomscroll? Can’t look away from the news? 

All of that is going to mess with your quest for inner peace. 

But the good news is that you have control over this. By being mindful of what you consume, and intentionally seeking out positive and uplifting content, you can change what goes into your mind.

Consider unfollowing or muting sources that bring negativity and stress into your life. Replace them with things that nourish your soul, inspire your mind, and align with your pursuit of tranquility.

It may seem like a small step, but trust me – as a former news junkie, I can attest to the fact that it can create a ripple effect in your daily life.

That said, while curating your online consumption is important, it’s even more important to…

6) Do regular digital detoxes

Statistics show that today’s average person “spends 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phone each day. And 1 in 5 smartphone users spends upwards of 4.5 hours on average on their phones every day.”

Do you know the toll that excessive digital use takes on you? In a nutshell, it can lead to: 

• Poor sleep
• Increased anxiety and even depression
• Isolation from social interaction
• Relationship issues

It’s easy to see how all of that can impact your inner peace. 

So, my advice is to schedule regular digital detoxes. It could be an hour or two after work or before bed (this is best so you can enjoy better sleep). 

The longer you can go unplugged, the better! These breaks will rejuvenate your mind and help you reconnect with the world around you. 

Even better, it frees you up to…

7) Set aside time for reflection

Those unplugged moments are the perfect time for getting some self-reflection done. 

Why is self-reflection crucial to inner peace? 

It’s pretty simple – how can you be at peace with yourself if you don’t even know who you are? What you stand for? How you think and feel? 

Self-reflection is a foundational practice for inner peace, mainly because it: 

• Leads to better self-understanding
• Processing emotions
• Setting goals and intentions
• Creating mindful presence
• Connecting with your inner wisdom

As Carl Jung once said, “Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”

8) Learn what you can and can’t control

One thing you’ll quickly learn from constant self-reflection is how to recognize what you can and can’t control. 

And that’s a valuable skill for finding inner peace. 

Look, many of our frustrations come from our failure to wrangle things in the exact way we want them to go. We strive for perfection, chase after outcomes, and get entangled in things that are often beyond our reach. 

But here’s the liberating truth: not everything is within our control, and that’s okay.

Understanding this distinction between what we can influence and what we must accept is empowering. 

It can free us from unnecessary stress and anxiety. We find serenity in acceptance and strength in our ability to adapt and grow. 

So take a moment to breathe, reflect, and recognize what’s in your hands and what’s not. The peace you seek may be closer than you think.

Final thoughts

As you can see, these aren’t complicated rituals or time-consuming hobbies. However, they do call for a little more discipline, just like any skill. 

Perhaps it will help to think of inner peace more like a muscle. Building it is definitely not a one-time thing. The more consistent you are in developing it, the stronger it will grow.