How To Protect Your Peace During Unsettling Times
When Life Changes, We Do Too
During uncertain times, whether political, social, or personal, it’s normal to feel like you're walking on eggshells. The internet’s buzzing with opinions, news feeds never stop, and everyone’s talking. You might feel pressure to chime in, defend your views, or justify your choices. But here’s something to remember: standing up for yourself doesn’t always mean entering the fray.
True self-advocacy sometimes looks like setting limits and protecting your mental space.
1. Speak Your Truth Without Needing to Shout
What you have to say is important. You shouldn’t feel the need to shrink yourself for the comfort of others. Whether you're navigating conversations at work, at home, or online, expressing what matters to you is a courageous act. But if you find yourself constantly explaining your beliefs to people who aren’t open to understanding, stepping back is okay.
Skill Building: Learn to tell the difference between an open conversation and a one-sided argument. Ask yourself, “Is this a real discussion, or am I hitting a brick wall?”
2. Setting Boundaries Isn’t Letting Anyone Down
You don’t have to stick with discussions that leave you feeling drained or uneasy. Just because you could argue your perspective doesn’t mean you must. You have every right to say, “This isn’t a conversation I want to have right now,” or “I’m not in the headspace for this today.”
Skill Building: Try boundary-setting phrases like: “I hear you, but I’m not up for a debate right now,” or “This isn’t something I’m willing to talk about anymore.
3. Guarding Your Peace is a Bold Act
When everything feels loud and chaotic, choosing calm might seem passive, but it’s not. It’s a choice rooted in strength. Protecting your energy, positivity, rest, and joy is empowering. Not every issue demands your response, and not everyone needs access to your thoughts.
Skill Building: Add “peace practices” into your life. This could mean taking a short daily break from screens, going on a phone-free nature walk each week, or journaling your feelings privately instead of posting them online.
4. Therapy Can Show You the Way Forward
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Going to therapy can help you decide when to speak up, when to stay quiet, and how to manage the guilt or pressure that sometimes follows. The therapists at Herr-Era are eager to help you find your voice. If you're struggling with setting boundaries or feel conflicted about staying true to your values, therapy can guide you through that. Remember: You can be true to yourself without putting your mental health at risk. It’s okay to evolve, protect yourself, and thrive simultaneously.