Ten Ways to Stay Grounded When Your World is Spinning Out of Control
I know there have been other out-of-control seasons, but I find my thoughts spiraling more in this season. I attempt to process the news, the tragedies, the celebrations, and the unknowns with those close to me. We pray. We converse—words spilling over like a fountain. We suggest hormones and grounding sheets.
So, this past weekend I went and weeded my flower beds without gloves. I know. It’s probably not the smartest thing to do, but I wanted to feel the dirt. The stickiness of each weed connected me to earth and creation and thus, to my Creator. I contemplated the pruning that needs to happen in my own heart, with my schedule and my relationships in this season. Instead of simply kneeling then moving on, I sat—forcing myself to a slow cadence. The slower pace helped me think more deeply, delight more intentionally, and notice more distinctly my surroundings.
When the world is spinning, maybe what we need is a little less worrying and a little more grounding. Maybe one of these ten ways I’m trying this month will help you, too, stay rooted and soft, despite not having all of the answers. They may even surprise you with a smile.
Saturate in truth.
When thoughts and doubts spin, the first place I need to ground myself is in Truth. Isaiah 45:19 reminds us the Lord is the one who speaks what is true. So, this is where I want to start each day. With so many influencers, nay-sayers, and news posts—I want to remember where Truth originates and fix my mind on what is true, pure, and lovely. I’m praying that my heart is saturated with remembering who God is and how He holds all things together when I feel like my world is falling apart. (Colossians 1:17)
How can you ground yourself in Truth this month?
say more in person.
I love texting. There are always voices and noise around me in this season of life with four children at home, so the brief communication style suits me well. However, I’ve started to take notice that I feel less connected, even to those I text often, when I don’t have face-to-face conversation. So, I’m seeking out time to connect, prioritizing it even, my friends in proximity.
Who is one person you can connect with this month in person?
see needs around me.
Faithful stewardship of our lives includes seeing and seeking to meet the needs of others. It’s tempting when things feel out of control to retreat and hibernate. This month I want to remind myself that what grounds my heart to reality is to really see the needs around me. We often live in a hyper-reality world of social media and we forget to look for the real.
What is one need around you that you can take notice of and seek to meet, if possible?
say liturgy out loud.
My church traditions were not particularly liturgical, but the older that I become, the more I turn to liturgy to ground my thoughts with the spoken word. These words, whether in a prayer or in confession not only settle my heart, but they unite me together with others. A few books helping me do that are Every Season Sacred, Every Moment Holy, Valley of Vision, and the Divine Hours.
How could you implement more liturgy into your every day?
Start sourdough.
Okay, so it doesn’t have to be sourdough. But, I’ve noticed when I learn something new or do something with my hands, it slows the pace of my thoughts and subsequently, my heart. I’ve tried sourdough before and failed. But, I’m going to try again. Stay tuned on Instagram.
What is something new you can learn and rejoice in the slow process?
sip coffee.
Yes, you can sip tea or kombucha or your diet Dr. Pepper. But I tend to go through life at a gulping pace to finish it off and not let it go to waste before moving on to the next thing. This month I want to sip.
Notice this month how often you sit and simply enjoy your drink before moving onto the next thing.
stay awake to God’s presence.
I love to journal. Recording God’s faithfulness is one of my favorite things because it keeps me tethered to His working even when I don’t see fruit. This month I’m going to record not only where I see God moving and working, but also where He is present. Perhaps it’s in a friend’s word of encouragement, a thoughtful act of generosity, the changing sunlight, or a child’s imagination. I’m not sure where you will sense His nearness to you the most, but I know you will find Him when you seek Him.
How can you open your eyes to see how God is near?
shift my focus.
Anytime my heart is struggling with the weights of the world or my discontent, I have a choice to either focus on the problems or on the beauty. This month, rather than fixating on the ever-changing nature of the external, I’m praying for the wisdom and discernment to focus on the internal: my dreams, my contemplative thought process, my hopes and my prayers. I find the external keeps my eyes off of the eternal, so, ask yourself:
What is one way you can shift your focus away from the external and focus more on the internal?
savor the written word.
In the evenings, my husband and I love a good show or conversation. We are wanting this month to pick up a book and read before going to sleep. The written word allows my day to wind down in a way that a Netflix show does not. I have a friend that reads poetry at night. This would also be a wonderful time to add in some evening liturgy.
What is a book you can savor in the evening hours to help you wind down?
Slow down.
It goes without saying, but to feel grounded, I need to go slower. My goal for this month is to work on one task at a time and see how it goes. It will take planning, discipline, persistence, but I think it’s possible. Multi-tasking is the largest culprit of keeping me scattered.
So, this month, how can you slow down and do one thing at a time?
As you take time this month to ground yourself, I pray the spinning worries of this life lessen their load on your heart. I’d love to know which you want to try this month. Feel free to add one below in the comments, too.