Tuesday morning, I made the mistake of reading the news first thing. It had only been one week since the new President took office, but the intensity of the headlines made it feel like much longer. My usual peaceful morning alone and later with Ashe was disrupted—I felt grumpy, irritable, and disconnected. Later, I went to a meeting at the farm, where frustration lingered in the air. I was on edge, carrying the weight of the world’s chaos into my interactions.

Then, during a virtual meeting with my mentor, he asked me something simple yet profound: “How are you feeling in this moment?”

The old version of me, the one conditioned to mask discomfort, almost replied, “I’m fine.” But it’s hard to be fake with someone who sees you. Instead, I paused, took a breath, and admitted the truth: I had read the news that morning, and it was affecting me more than I wanted it to.

My mentor and I held space for a moment, allowing frustration to be felt and acknowledged. As we took a few deep breaths together, the tension began to soften. The world hadn’t changed, but I had. That small moment of presence shifted everything. In that moment, I was reminded that navigating chaos is all about making sure your feet are firmly planted on the ground.

The Importance of Mindful News Consumption

As a yoga teacher, I strive to be mindful of what triggers me. For me, consuming the news is a delicate balance—staying informed without letting my emotions be hijacked by divisive narratives. I’ve learned to ask myself:

• Am I in a state where I can process this information without being overwhelmed?
• Can I engage critically, rather than reactively?
• Have I sought out multiple perspectives before forming an opinion?

There is no single news source I fully trust. Instead, I trust my intuition after reading diverse viewpoints. When my friends and family engage in respectful discussions with differing opinions, I try to listen and learn. Most people don’t hold opposing beliefs because they think they are wrong. And I could be wrong too.

But more than anything, I choose love. Love for myself. Love for my children. Love for all living beings—human, animal, insect, and beyond. Love for our planet. Love is what holds me steady when the world feels unsteady.

Practical Tools to Stay Grounded in Chaotic Times

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, here are some simple ways to reconnect to your center:

1. Breathwork for Calm
Try this simple box breathing technique: Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts, exhale for 4 counts, hold for 4 counts. Repeat for a few minutes to settle your nervous system.

2. The 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise
When anxiety rises, use this technique:

• 5 things you can see
• 4 things you can touch
• 3 things you can hear
• 2 things you can smell
• 1 thing you can taste
  This brings your awareness back to the present moment.

3. Limit News Consumption Mindfully

• Set a designated time for reading the news (not first thing in the morning!).
• Avoid doomscrolling—set a time limit.
• Choose sources that prioritize facts over fear.
• Notice how your body reacts to what you’re consuming.

4. Listen to Your Inner Wisdom
No one has all the answers—not the media, not politicians, not even spiritual teachers. Your intuition, however, will always guide you if you slow down enough to listen. Triggers and physical reactions often tell us there is more beneath the surface. I view these as invitations - invitations to feel, to pause, to notice. My gut reaction is often to push away those things that feel uncomfortable, but that isn't what is needed.

For myself, it is important to acknowledge how something has made me feel (in the case of Tuesday morning, it was fear and anger). And I have to let whatever feeling visits be fully felt and processed before I can mindfully return to being the grounded teacher that many others need from me. So I give myself permission to get triggered. I give myself permission to spend a couple of hours in anger when needed. It only works when I do the work myself.

Free Resources to Support You

If you need extra support, I have three free meditations available in my store:

• Loving-Kindness Meditation – Cultivate compassion for yourself and others.
• Mindful Body-Scan Meditation – Release tension and reconnect with your body.
• Yoga Nidra for Balance – A deep relaxation practice to restore inner peace.

You can find them [here].

A Gentle Challenge for the Week Ahead

I invite you to take a moment this week to pause and ask yourself:

How am I managing through chaotic times?

What practices help me stay grounded? Where do I need more balance?

The world may continue to feel divided, but within you, there is always a place of peace. Return to it often. It is there, waiting for you.

Photo Credit: Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay