Everyday serenity is possible. Yet when we see how fast-paced our lives are, and how stress is second nature, we start to doubt ourselves. How can you be more Zen day after day? Here are 10 easy-to-practice tips to help you feel calmer.

1 – Everyday serenity: remember how lucky you are

It’s not unusual for us to get used to our happiness day after day. Then, one morning, we wake up sad, because we’ve forgotten how lucky we are.

Everyday serenity means taking the time to savour our happiness.

To do this, I invite you to list 3 things that make you happy every morning when you wake up. Little things or big things. Whatever makes you happy.

Then, let the feeling of gratitude fill your heart until a smile appears on your face.

Because, yes, we’re lucky.

Lucky to live, to breathe, to move, to speak, to think, to act, to love, to feel…

It’s essential that you remind yourself every day how lucky you are.

2 – Thinking more about others than yourself

Haven’t you noticed that there’s one moment when our heart is light? It’s when it makes someone else happy. When it gives.

Indeed, when we seek to receive something at all costs from others, our stress and anger soar. We stomp our feet, we rage.

But what if, instead of receiving, we gave? Wouldn’t life be simpler?

Of course, we don’t have to force ourselves to give.

Giving is free; it’s an impulse from the heart that expects nothing in return.

I wholeheartedly invite you to change the question when you feel that stress is getting the better of you, when dissatisfaction is stirring within you…

Instead of asking: what can I receive from others? ask: what can I give?

Everyday serenity lies in this simple question!

3 – But think of yourself

Thinking about others makes you happy, but not thinking about yourself is a source of much suffering.

You are responsible for your own well-being and happiness. Never forget this.

Don’t wait for others to take care of you, it’s your responsibility.

So, on a daily basis, take time for yourself and satisfy your needs.

It’s not a question of taking from others, but of giving to yourself. Once again, we’re talking about giving!

Give yourself attention. Give yourself love.

Adopting serenity on a daily basis means knowing how to give yourself.

4 – Everyday serenity: get out of your head

There’s one place inside us that’s a source of suffering, and that’s our head, when it’s full of thoughts. About yesterday or tomorrow.

Everyday serenity means choosing to live in the present!

The past and the future have no place. One no longer exists and the other not yet.

Being more zen means learning to learn from the past, without having to go back to it again and again, and taking action in the present to make the future possible, so there’s no need to think about it again and again.

That’s why when you feel you’re thinking a lot about the past or the future, come back to the present.

Breathe, close your eyes.

Come back to the here and now. Do something to distract yourself.

5 – Everyday serenity: change the way you look at problems

All too often, we dwell on our problems, and they take up all the space in our daily lives.

And yet, our problems are simply steps we have to take, steps that require us to find a solution or learn something we didn’t know.

In fact, problems make us stronger, more agile, smarter. No more, no less.

So why create so much stress and suffering?

A problem comes up, deal with it. Do what’s necessary. And then move on.

Everyday serenity means choosing to act and not wasting time resisting and complaining. It means taking matters into your own hands.

6 – Transforming guilt

We make mistakes, and guilt gnaws at us day after day.

What if we stopped and felt more zen?

Because guilt can be transformed!

In the end, when we make a mistake, we learn something. And rather than feeling guilty, we can commit ourselves to doing better.

That’s why, whenever you see yourself feeling guilty, go back over your mistake, over what you regret, and make a commitment: what do you want to do better from now on?

Then, don’t go back to your mistake, just learn the lesson and keep your new commitment.

Everyday serenity means giving yourself the right to make progress every day.

7 – Embrace change to find serenity

Change is scary, and that’s normal.

Yes, it’s normal to be afraid of something new.

However, just because we’re afraid doesn’t mean we should waste our time and energy resisting and stamping our feet in anger.

When change comes, welcome it. It’s all you’ve got to do anyway. You don’t have a choice.

You’re not the only master of your ship. After all, life likes to throw in its two cents.

To be more zen, it’s essential to accept that change is part of life.

8 – Do less, but better

Everyday serenity means learning that time is finite.

We have 24 hours every day to be happy and to do what’s important to us. No more, no less.

So make the right choices!

What’s really important? What really makes you happy?

Don’t try to buy time to do things you don’t want to do.

Try to make the most of your time by doing few things that you really enjoy.

9 – Everyday serenity: have less, but better

What we own owns us. In other words, the more things we have, the more we are consumed by them.

The more we think about them, the more we worry about them, and the more we have to work to take care of them.

So, I invite you to make the right choices.

What do you really want? What really brings you joy?

Everyday serenity means being content with what you love, without worrying about the superfluous.

10 – Have some downtime

To be more zen on a daily basis, it’s urgent to stop trying to fill all your time with things to do.

It’s essential not to rush from one task to the next, so you can refocus, breathe and find yourself again.

Indeed, it’s so easy to lose ourselves along the way, to get lost in activities that put us to sleep and don’t really make us happy.

Don’t be afraid of emptiness. Don’t be afraid of doing nothing. Rather, be afraid of getting lost!

Learn to have times for yourself, times when you do nothing but come face to face with yourself, your thoughts, your desires, your dreams and your present.

Everyday serenity means knowing who you are, what you’re doing, what’s important to you, and that’s why it’s essential to have time for yourself.

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How can you achieve serenity even in times of crisis? 4 tips
Discover Reconnecting to the present: 4 simple tips to greater serenity

I recommend this inspiring book:

The Book of Hygge by Louisa Thomsen Brits

Louisa Thomsen Brits explores the concept of hygge, a Danish word that represents a sense of comfort, conviviality and well-being in everyday life. The book offers ideas for creating a serene and contented atmosphere by embracing simple pleasures, fostering connection and finding joy in ordinary moments. It serves as a guide to cultivating a daily sense of calm and contentment through intentional living.

This is a beautiful, well-written book about the Danish lifestyle known as Hygge. It’s so relaxing to read it and take in the advice it offers on how to live the Hygge style.
I loved discovering this style. Very good book, easy to read. It’s fun to read from time to time. It sits on my coffee table!

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself