Mindful Living During Chaotic Times: 9 Ways to Find Calm | Sustainable Fashion Blog

Waking up feeling positive. Picking up the phone and reading dystopian news. A sense of dread. Going to work or uni. Treating yourself to an iced latte. Feeling guilty because you should save for a house you can’t afford anyway. Chatting to a friend. Randomly remembering that, somewhere, people are starving and getting bombed. And the weather feels way too hot. And there’s been yet another fire or flood. Your chest tightens.

Sounds familiar? 

I often range from “how on earth are we all continuing with our daily life” to… continuing with my daily life (and same again).

So, I thought I’d share what helps me live mindfully during chaotic times. 

It does feel like the world’s on fire…

There’s so much pressure on us as individuals to “do better”, but from climate change to wars and economic uncertainty, the world around us is deteriorating at rapid speed at the hands of billionaires, and the times when our leaders had moral authority are long gone. 

The brands trying to make a difference? They go bankrupt, crushed by bigger corporations.

And we feel hopeless and disillusioned.

For example, as the co-founder of Project Cece, a platform bringing hundreds of ethical fashion brands in one place, I’ve seen many close down. 

So, when the EU announced some upcoming legislation regarding green claims? We worked on a tool to help our brands prepare themselves… only for the EU to do a massive U-turn after being pressured by right-wing politicians and lobbies.

So, believe me: I’ve often wondered “What’s the point?” myself.

… but that doesn’t mean you should neglect yourself 

I believe it’s important to acknowledge and feel those feelings. We shouldn’t stay stuck in them, though.

You suffering or neglecting your needs isn’t going to help any cause (and it wouldn’t be fair).

9 ways to live mindfully during chaotic times 

1. Start and end the day with simple mindful practices 

What you do when you wake up can set the tone for the rest of the day.

So, no matter how tempting it is, don’t reach for your phone. 

Instead of going straight to autopilot, put yourself first and connect with your body, even if just for 5-15 minutes.

For example, you could try some exercises to regulate your nervous systems, meditating, journaling, or stretching.

Before bedtime, follow a wind-down routine, like avoiding screens, keeping your lights dim, doing skincare, and facilitating sleep by elevating your legs against the wall or using lavender oil.

2. Set boundaries (without feeling selfish)

I believe it’s important to keep up with what’s happening, but it shouldn’t mean “frying your nervous system by seeing bad news whenever you pick up your phone”. 

Also, reducing your screen time will help in general, even if using it feels good in the moment (you could consider the Minimalist Phone app).

Same goes for your battery: just because you have some time off, it doesn’t automatically mean you’re available to hang out or reply to texts. 

I encourage you to be honest with your friends about needing to recharge and protect your mental health: the chances are, they often feel the same.

3. Curate your environment 

When everything’s chaotic, focus on what you can control, like the environment around you, which affects how you feel. 

So, consider decluttering your house, adding house plants, using scented candles, and creating a “calm corner” that feels cosy and safe.

4. Get dressed mindfully

What we wear impacts how we feel—and, therefore, how we think and act. So, use it to your advantage.

Hoping to feel better, confident, or energised? Put on your best outfit, complete with accessories. A bit anxious? Choose something that feels familiar. Need some comfort? Wrap yourself in cosy clothes and organic materials.

Plus, while fast fashion hauls give you instant dopamine, overconsumption actually keeps you unhappy in the long run (and don’t get me started on its dreadful environmental and human cost). So, rewearing fewer clothes that feel “you” and were made ethically will have a positive impact on your mood, too.

5. Ground yourself through movement

“It won’t help”? I still catch myself thinking that whenever I’m looking for excuses. Then, once I get active, I always feel the difference. 

Whether it’s yoga, the gym, or just dancing on your own, exercising releases endorphins, which reduce stress and boost your mood. So, moving can help you get out of an overthinking spiral, too.

6. Connect with the life in front of you

I appreciate that “switching off” is an incredible privilege that, sadly, some people haven’t got, especially in certain parts of the world.

But while it’s important to use our privileges to do some good—more on that soon—we’ve already established that being miserable and anxious wouldn’t help anyone.

So, do something to get back to the present moment and appreciate life, regularly: a stroll across a nice part of town, hiking in nature, baking, cooking a comfort dish slowly, a mid-week pick-me-up from your favourite cafe…

7. Help a cause (if and when you can)

I know, it feels like EVERYTHING’s doomed and nothing you do matters. But it does. 

And while you can’t help everyone, you can start from something, like donating to a cause that matters to you or amplifying their mission. Even just sharing their social media content will allow them to reach more people!

8. Connect with your community

We’re in the middle of a loneliness epidemic, mostly connecting with others from behind a screen. So, try doing it in person, and feel the difference. 

You could join a local club, meet-up event, or initiative, or find people who care about your same cause (for example, by volunteering or joining a political party or non-profit organisation).

Personally, I love swapping clothes through the Clothing Loop: in a world of SHEIN hauls, it connects me with other eco-conscious consumers. 

9. Do something selfless

There are so many small things we can do that have a big impact on others. We simply don’t think about it.

For example, why not surprise a friend with a postcard, compliment a stranger’s outfit, leave a kind note in a library book, donate unwanted clothes to local shelters, or offer a slice of cake to your neighbour?

It’ll help you shift from “nothing I do matters” to “I can make a difference”.

So, overall: yes, it does feel like the world’s on fire, but that doesn’t mean you must keep frying your nervous system. 

I hope this helps you live more mindfully and find some calm.

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