There was a time when I planned quiet space for creativity into my calendar – but when the moment came, I was too scattered to begin. The weight of mental clutter kept pulling me into reaction: answering emails, checking Slack, knocking out low-value tasks that gave me a quick hit of accomplishment (and dopamine) but left my soul untouched.

That state became my norm for a long time.

Even though I loved writing and creating, I would often put those things off. Not because I didn’t want to do them – but because I wasn’t in the right state to do them. And for a long time, I didn’t know how to change that.

What I know now is this: if you want to create from a place of clarity, confidence, and flow, you have to clear space for stillness. Stillness isn’t about doing nothing. It’s about making room to hear the quiet truth inside you.

What Inner Stillness Feels Like (and Why It Matters)

To me, inner stillness is a state of deep confidence. It’s when the anxious mental chatter fades, and I feel a quiet sense of knowing in my body and spirit. Instead of chasing thoughts or forcing answers, I feel truth bubble up in the form of an idea, a phrase, or a sensation – sometimes a chill, a “perk-up” in my body that tells me: this is it.

From that place, I can create, decide, lead, and rest with intention.

So many high-achieving people struggle to access stillness because the very drive that brings them success also disconnects them from the body and spirit. The appetite for more, for momentum, for progress becomes a runaway train. Stillness helps us step off that train and remember who we are.

Here are the two practices that have helped me the most in clearing mental clutter and accessing stillness:

Morning Pages: Clearing the Junk to Make Space for Insight

I started writing Morning Pages in September 2024, inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. I committed to 12 weeks at first, writing three longhand pages of stream of consciousness journaling every morning. Now I typically write two pages, which takes about 45 minutes.

It didn’t begin perfectly. I worked up to it gradually – first writing for 10 minutes with a sand timer, then switching to typing my journal entries in Notion to build better consistency. But giving myself a timeframe helped the habit stick. It felt like a meaningful experiment instead of a life sentence.

Most days, the first page is pure junk. A to-do list. A recap of yesterday. A rambling stream of barely connected thoughts. But once that clutter is out of the way, there’s usually something more underneath it. A question. A memory. A feeling I didn’t realize I was carrying.

Every now and then, I write something I’ve never thought before – and it sparks a creative idea, a meaningful conversation, or a shift in direction.

I dump the junk, then dig a little deeper.

Even on the days when it’s all junk, I still feel more focused, more grounded, and ready to begin my day.

If you want to try journaling (again!) but three pages feels daunting, start smaller. Try 10 minutes. Try typing. Try a short commitment – a month, not forever. And remember: the value isn’t in what you write, but in what it clears out.

Qigong: Grounding Through Gentle Movement

I was introduced to qigong by my life coach, Andrew. One day after a hike, he guided me through a short, 10-minute sequence. I was instantly hooked. It felt calming, grounding, and energizing – all at once.

When I returned home, I began practicing regularly with Lee Holden’s YouTube videos. His style is approachable, and his routines are simple enough to memorize and make your own. I eventually created a 10-minute morning flow from his movements, which I shared on Instagram.

Qigong is now the first thing I do when I wake up. It brings me back to my body, quiets my mind, and reminds me that I am here. It doesn’t matter what kind of stress or emotion I wake up with – the practice meets me where I am and gently shifts my state.

Honestly, it’s magical.

That might sound lofty, but it’s the best word I have for the way it re-centers me. It helps me start my day not from urgency, but from clarity.

Creating a Rhythm of Stillness

My ideal morning routine begins with qigong, followed by Morning Pages. When time allows, I add a workout and spend time in my infrared sauna, where I often meditate. But even on busy days, I aim to keep qigong and Pages consistent. And if I miss a day, I don’t beat myself up. I just return the next day. The key is rhythm, not rigidity.

When I skip several days in a row, I notice it. I start to feel “elevated” – high-strung, anxious, scattered. I feel untethered from my purpose and disconnected from my goals. But when I maintain my practices, I live the truth of my mantra:

Less hustle, more flow.

These rituals regulate my nervous system, clear my mind, and unlock my creativity. They remind me that I don’t have to force brilliance – I just have to make space for it to arrive.

If You Feel Too Busy for Stillness

Start small. Try one or two qigong movements for just two minutes. Try one page of stream-of-consciousness writing. Don’t commit to doing it forever – just try it once. Or go to a class for accountability. Let yourself experiment.

And if you feel like you can’t slow down, I want to say this with so much love:

If you don’t feel the way you want to feel every day, something has to change.

Stillness isn’t something you have to earn. It’s something you’re allowed to receive.

One Final Practice

When I feel disconnected from myself, I repeat a simple mantra: “I am here.”

I let myself really feel that. I picture where I am in the room. I notice the edges of my body. I return to this moment, this breath, this now.

And from here, I begin again.

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Want to learn more about Qigong, Morning Pages, or how to create a sustainable rhythm of inner stillness? Reach out or sign up for my newsletter. I’d love to support your journey.