“I promise you, nothing is as chaotic as it seems. Nothing is worth diminishing your health. Nothing is worth poisoning yourself into stress, anxiety and fear.”- Steve Maraboli
What is a “Calming Board”?
I got the idea for a “Calming Board” from an Instagram post, and I apologize because I don’t remember where I saw it. I thought it was a genius idea though! I’m sure you’ve seen a vision board, where you put pictures of all of your life goals. This is a similar concept, except you put pictures on the board of things that make you feel calm, like a sunset, or your pet dog, your favorite flower, or the clear blue ocean at your favorite destination.
How I made my Calming Board (pictured above)
What I did for my Calming Board, is scroll through Pinterest, and stop on any picture that catches my eye. Maybe the picture I stop on has a lot of my favorite soothing blue color, or maybe it is someone’s backyard oasis, with lots of greens and natural wood tones. Maybe it is a picture of my favorite peonies. Then I asked myself, is this calming to me? If the answer was yes, I added it to my Pinterest Calming Board.
Next, I went to canva.com and pulled up a desktop wallpaper template. Then I found a grid template I liked under elements. I uploaded my pictures, making sure to add some of my own photos of loved ones that make me feel calm, pets, and plants. I can print my grid or make it my phone screen saver. You could also print the pictures individually and make a bulletin board, or fill a frame. Do Not add anything to your board that makes you feel stressed. (Yes, you adore your teenager, but maybe he isn’t the most calming influence. 😬)
How do I use my Calming Board?
Look at your calming board whenever you feel like you are getting a little too anxious, and you need a reminder of things that make you feel more peaceful. Put it in a place that you can look at often, your bedroom, office, bathroom mirror, or put it as a screensaver on your phone or computer.
Light a candle, or fill a diffuser with your favorite calming scent. Sit in front of your calming board and take a few deep breaths. Choose an activity that makes you feel calm. Pot a new plant. Sit outside and feel the breeze. Do a few yoga poses or meditate. You can also say a quick prayer asking God to guide you in relieving your anxious feelings.
Your calming board is a reminder that difficult times do not last forever. Trust and allow for peace to return.
