I find it hard to cope when the world feels like it’s out of control.

Lately, I’ve had moments when it all just feels like too much. Maybe you have, too. The headlines keep coming, the pace of life doesn’t slow, and suddenly it feels as if the ground beneath us is tilting, shifting, moving faster than we can keep up.

When that happens, I’ve learned to start small. Really small. One breath. In. Out. That’s all. For a moment, I remember that even when the outside world feels chaotic, my body still knows how to breathe, how to be.

Sometimes I’ll wrap my hands around a warm mug of tea and just notice its comfort. Or I’ll step outside, even if only for a minute, and listen for a bird’s song or watch the clouds drifting by. Those little things remind me I’m still here, in this moment, and not everything is out of reach.

And I’ll be honest—I have to limit the noise. The endless scroll of news and opinions can sweep me right up into the whirlwind. Giving myself permission to set the phone down, to turn the volume down, creates space to breathe again.

Connection helps, too. A phone call with a friend, sharing a laugh, even a short text can be a lifeline. It’s amazing how simply being heard can lighten the load we carry.

And then there’s kindness. I’ve noticed that when the world feels harsh, the most powerful thing we can do is soften. A smile, a kind word, a little encouragement—it doesn’t just help someone else. It helps us, too.

Oh, and joy. Never underestimate joy. Reading a good book, playing music loud enough to sing along, dancing in the kitchen, pulling something fragrant out of the oven—these aren’t frivolous. They’re medicine for the soul.

The truth is, we can’t stop the world from spinning. But we can choose how we steady ourselves inside it. And maybe, just maybe, those choices are what bring us back to peace.