So much noise
Inside our head
Our thoughts
Our to-do list
Work commitments
Social media
Twit, twit, Twitter
Disturbing news
A million things
Fighting for space
Space so scarce
Turn down that volume.
Unplug.
Tune out the noise coming at you.
Tune in to yourself
Listen.
Unwind.
And that’s the gist of what I am about to share with you.
Like me, if you are sensitive to sound and cringe, finding it annoying, your response is absolutely normal! The stress from the noise coming at you is only increasing on a daily basis.
The good news is, if you are conscious of this noise, you’ve already taken the first step towards turning down the volume.
Sure, we can just switch off from everything, but that is not the ideal solution with all that we’re involved in, and have to do.
I am about to show you a two-step method to find calm and peace and get your soul back on track.
Both steps are easy. Perhaps, that’s why they are effective.
It is a busy world, and self-help is often the only way to finding peace.
Let’s warm up, shall we?
Listen
This is the first step to tune out the noise and get rid of those irritating sounds you don’t want to hear. Or at least shut out and recharge yourself.
Here’s what you need:
- Your attention
- Your intention
- A few minutes – anything from 10 minutes to half an hour. Of course you can spare it!
How to do it:
- Start by listening to the sounds around you, this moment.
- Pay attention
- Do not resist. Resistance leads to stress.
- Do not judge.
- Do not fight your response.
- Try to be neutral.
- Just notice as many sounds as you can.
- Reflect on how you feel when you listen this way, without resistance, without judgment.
- What if you chose to appreciate them?
Next, let’s look at step 2, turning down the volume.
Turning down the volume with nature
One of the best ways to slow down and find peace is with Nature.
- Start by finding a spot in nature, as far away from technology as possible. This can be a park, your own backyard or anywhere in Nature.No need to go on a trek or into a forest!
- Find a quiet place to sit (or stand or walk – your choice. I prefer to walk)
- Open your eyes. I mean, really. Open them consciously.
- Allow yourself to notice everything around you. Soak it all in.
- Let your eyes be attracted to a particular natural feature. There’s something around you that you’d like to watch for a little longer, right? A bird? A flower in a pond? A swaying tree or a patch of grass? Clouds wandering in the sky? That busy squirrel? Leaves being tossed around on the ground around you? An insect?
- Lose yourself in the experience.
- Focus on what you want to look at the most. Don’t think. Don’t analyze.
- Imagine letting go of your thoughts and worries into Nature. Let her hold them for you.
- Just sit in peace and enjoy Nature.
-
Listen to the sounds.
- Feel the difference.
- Compared to what you usually hear, how does it feel?
- As you continue to look around, notice the details.
- Enjoy the space around you.
- Immerse yourself in the joy for as long as you need to.
- Listen to Nature talking to you in her silence.
- Feel the clarity of your thoughts.
- Don’t be surprised if you find the solution to something that’s bothering you, a problem that has been on your mind.
- Allow it to happen naturally.
- When you feel yourself fill with comfortable silence, let yourself feel grateful.
- Reflect on at least one benefit from this practice, this experience.
- Can you imagine doing this during the day?
- Is there a space where you can practice this indoors?
- Can you think of other ways to turn down the noise?
- Perhaps music, the gentle sound of rain, waves in the ocean, bird song?
- You don’t have to fret over not being able to go sit in a park.
Try these and let me know how you feel, in the comments.
Here is a site a friend shared with me
http://www.pixelthoughts.co/
You type in what’s bothering you in the space and see what happens next. Found it quite cute.
Here’s another
http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
where you can listen to the sound of the waves. It is lovely.
If you know any sites like these, do share in the comments.
“In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light, and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness.”
26 comments
This is excellent, Vidya. I’ve been taking a break from social media (in general, FB particularly) over the last… oh, couple of weeks maybe, and spending more time outdoors: gardening, working on a wooden fence I’m building, painting walls, cleaning up the clutter that somehow seems to accumulate in corners around the house… And I’ve found enormous pleasure in watching a butterfly darting among the oleander or a bird singing its heart out on a branch. On Friday, for instance, I was watering said patch of oleander when I noticed a dove swooping closer and closer to the spray. I turned to stone, not even daring to move my eyes much, and decreased pressure on the hose nozzle so the spray became softer. Sure enough, after some fifteen seconds, the dove landed close by and didn’t fly away again. The water began to pool on the coarse gravel, and she first drank from it, then—gaining confidence at my immobility, I suppose—took the leap and sunk her tiny body down into the pool. I expected her to splash her wings a bit, the way birds do to bathe, and she did, but then she just lay quietly, half immersed in the water. It was such a hot day, and the water must’ve felt so cool to her. My calf muscles began to cramp from not moving, but I told them to suck it up: this was priceless. The dove was not even 50 cm from my left foot, a wild, untamed animal with every single reason to fear humans, and there she was, enjoying a dip in fresh, clean water that I was providing. It was a gorgeous moment, and it made my entire day glow.
Guilie Castillo recently posted…Your Feel-Good for the Day. Or the Week.
How beautiful, Guilie! I could just picture the scene! This will be a much-cherished moment, thanks for sharing it with me. I love watching butterflies. There’s something so cheerful about them in their busyness. Now, my pigeons, or rather, the ones that occupy my balcony do not bother to move even if I yell. Familiarity breeds.
Hugs and thank you so much for coming over. I wondered why I did not see many FB updates from you. I am glad you’re doing the digital detox – and honored you came by!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Good Vibes Only! #GratitudeCircle
Excellent tips, Vidya. Mute the cacophony! 🙂 I use music to drown out all of life’s little annoyances. 🙂 Hubby and I love hanging out in the backyard, just watching the birds and the squirrels (and the dogs chasing them). It’s like a different universe. Too bad our summers are so short.
Debbie D. recently posted…SHADOWS | PHOTO FRIDAY
I hear this summer is warmer than usual, Debbie! Squirrels are such cute creatures. They dart around so quickly. There used to be one at our office – it would come right over, and explore the room. Once it even touched my feet and gave me a shock when I felt the wetness. I’ve heard that when humans touch them, their community rejects them. I remember seeing massive squirrels in Toronto. Quite amazing. Your backyard sounds lovely!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Good Vibes Only! #GratitudeCircle
Yes, we are having a hot, dry summer this year. Long may it last! 🙂 How interesting to have a squirrel in your office! He was a brave one. Most aren’t gutsy enough to get that close to humans. We have all sizes here. The little red ones are the cutest and feistiest. They chase the big ones away! Bird watching is also fascinating. The backyard is a little oasis of tranquillity.
Debbie D. recently posted…COMING INTO THE 21ST CENTURY | #FlashbackFriday
Haha, my friend mentioned that the humidity is pretty high. Our squirrels are quite bold and clever, the little rascals! But we love them. Mmm. bird watching is wonderful. Hugs, Debbie!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Good Vibes Only! #GratitudeCircle
Love this post Vidya! We all need to do this but life sometimes just gets in the way. I felt better just reading your post and will try your suggestions. I”m trying to take an electronic free day each week but boy it isn’t easy. #mg
Thank you Sue! I know, right? Tough to live without technology, but so necessary to occasionally switch off. I go crazy trying to tackle my to-do list and keep promising myself, that I’ll turn it off in just 5 more minutes. 🙂 I used to manage it – and this post really came on as self-motivation. 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted…Good Vibes Only! #GratitudeCircle
I am actually crying, you have no idea how much I needed this today. I honestly feel so overwhelmed by everything today. I sat here on my bed with the winter sun streaming onto me and warming mw up and I read this. I feel such a sense of release, I feel like I can take a deep breath and move forward through my week now. Thank you so much for this today xoxo Much love my beautiful friend #mg
Awww, hugs, Mac. I hope you’re feeling better now. Some days are like that – overwhelming – and that’s okay. My Mom often said that it is good to just sit and chant something for 5 minutes just to get the head to cool down and that heart beat to return to normal. Yes, deep breathing definitely helps. Hugs and love to you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Are you spending enough time with your child?
Lovely. I really must make more effort to make time to do this! #mg
Thank you so much Emma! So happy you’re here!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Good Vibes Only! #GratitudeCircle
I absolutely loved this post Vidya. Had to share it and pin it! 🙂 For me it’s all about getting out in nature. I have got to connect with the outdoors every day otherwise the stress does creep in.
Same here, Angel. (What a lovely name!). It is amazing what we can see when we stop and notice, no? Thank you so much for coming over!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Good Vibes Only! #GratitudeCircle
Thanks for sharing this. As the universe does, I stumbled upon it when I needed to see it and read it. Next, feel it! Thank you. #mg
Thank you Lisa! Sending you love!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Good Vibes Only! #GratitudeCircle
How easy it sounds to turn down the noise! Honestly with so many things clamouring to be heard it is a tough call.
Bellybytes recently posted…#SkywatchFriday- on coconut day
I know! Especially these days with so much going on… one has to consciously slow down just to catch one’s breath! Thank you for visiting Sunita! The Gratitude Circle bloghop linky will be up in a few minutes. 🙂
Vidya Sury recently posted…Turn down the volume, unplug, listen
Those are very helpful tips, Vidya. Yes, there are days when I feel completely overwhelmed and I try to just switch off everything and do what I enjoy.
Rachna recently posted…10 Don’ts on WhatsApp Chats
Best thing to do, Rachna. Sometimes it feels crazy to take time off, but unless we renew and recharge ourselves, how can we go on? Thank you for coming by! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…A labor of love
Love it! Sounds like a wonderful experience, Vidya. It’s so important to unplug! Thanks for sharing with #overthemoon
Thank you Cathy! 🙂 Happy to be part of the #overthemoon hop! So many amazing people!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Are you monitoring your child’s text messages?
So true Vidya. About needing to tune out.i have this app called Calm. It’s nice. Do Check it out.. You might like it. Of course.. Nothing beats nature.
Asha recently posted…Haircut
I will! I didn’t see it on Google Play although there are quite a few Calm…somethings. I’ve seen some nice apps that send a quote each day. But yes, nothing equals Nature!
Vidya Sury recently posted…When it comes to blessings
I’m late getting here as per norm. This is much needed for me right now. I am sick again, in pain and I’m keeping my hubby up because I am snoring. I feel bad about this and unsure how to stop the snoring. I tried these nasal strips but they don’t work. I tried that one pixel place and it was nice. It did feel better doing that little exercise.
Birgit recently posted…Thursday Movie Picks- World War 2
I was experiencing Headache from morning. I read it, got up from my Office chair, took a walk downstairs and you know what Mam, all is well now. Thanks for inspiring.
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