Finding Moments of Sanctuary in a Busy World
Many of us experience various demands in life. It can seem like there is always something to respond to, think about, organise or prepare for. Even in moments of rest, our minds can remain busy — replaying conversations, planning ahead or holding lingering tension.
In a world that often values productivity, speed and constant availability, slowing down can feel unfamiliar and difficult. Yet our minds and bodies were not designed to remain in states of stimulation and drive all the time. We need moments of pause. Times when we can stop, breathe, decompress and reconnect with ourselves again.
Slowing down involves a deeper shift in attention, pace and nervous-system state, and often requires slowing down both our external environment and our inner world.
Creating moments of sanctuary externally may therefore involve changing or moving to a different environment, helping us leave behind some of the distractions, noise and demands of daily life. We might seek out environments that feel still, quiet, grounding, or calming for our body and emotions.
Slowing down our inner world may look like grounding, becoming more calm and present and giving ourselves the chance to exhale (see my blog posts on grounding part 1 and part 2 for strategies on how to do this). Here, we create moments where we can escape the busyness of life, reconnecting with stillness and quiet, and being present to ourselves and life around us.
Here are some ways we might begin creating sanctuary:
putting your phone away for a while
sitting quietly with a warm drink
noticing the colours, sounds or textures around us
spending time in nature
visiting spaces that feel peaceful or grounding
creating moments without noise or stimulation
lighting a candle in the evening
listening to calming music
journalling
meditating, praying or reflecting quietly
Which of these feel like something you could gently incorporate into your life? Is there anything that helps you to slow down and restore that does not appear on this list?
These practises can become a refuge from the busyness of life around us. In these moments, we may begin to notice a feeling of connectedness, not only to ourselves but to life, the natural world, something that feels larger and more meaningful than our everyday concerns.
The spaces in which we find refuge from the busyness and noise can therefore feel almost sacred—not necessarily in a religious sense, but in the way that it creates space for what is important and meaningful to emerge, and deeper connection to our humanity and life. This is why I chose the word “sanctuary” to describe these spaces we might seek.
Closing Thoughts
We find sanctuary by creating opportunities — internally and externally — where we can rest, reflect and restore ourselves enough to keep meeting life with greater steadiness and presence.
By pausing and slowing down, we notice our thoughts, emotions, needs and values, thereby avoiding losing ourselves in the midst of busyness.
Even brief moments of sanctuary can become small anchors within busy lives, and provide refuge and rejuvenation. Over time, they can gently support our emotional wellbeing, and deepen our connection with ourselves, the world around us and life.
