The power of staying calm

“I can always stay calm.”

I wouldn’t have believed this sentence before.

How can you stay calm when stress, doubt, or comparison take over your mind?

Today, for the first time, I truly felt it.

A few days ago, I decided to start posting more on LinkedIn—not because I have to, but because I want to.

I’ve been learning a lot lately, and I feel it’s time to share the simple things that have helped me. Things that might seem small, but have had a big impact in my life. I don’t expect everyone to connect with it, but I believe that if I am able to express what I’m learning, it might help others.

But today, during my daily meditation, my mind started racing:

Why would anyone read my posts? Others are doing it so much better. Why would anybody care? 

At the same time, another voice in my head was full of excitement: 

I could do this, film that, create so much out of that one idea!

It was like my thoughts were pulling me in two different directions.

Self-doubt on one side. Overplanning on the other.

And both left me feeling the same way—completely restless.

I couldn’t stop my thoughts from spiraling, so I did what Vipassana meditation teaches: I turned inward.

I felt into my body.

And I noticed it—this subtle but constant tension throughout my body.

And then it clicked.

This tension was there because I was doubting and comparing myself.

Because I had attached my self-worth to something external.

Because I believed I needed to achieve xyz, instead of just doing what feels good.

The moment I realized this, something shifted—not just in my mind, but in my body.

The tension in my body faded and the spiral of thoughts stopped.

I didn’t have to force myself to relax. It just happened.

That’s the power of mindfulness.

We are not our doubts.

We can step back from the spirals of thought,

observe them, and choose whether to follow them.

Comparison, doubt, stress — they exist.

But they don’t have to control us.

I chose.

And so can you.

---

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

I’m Emely, and I share the lessons I’ve learned through Vipassana meditation, improvisation, and my daily life  — focusing on resilience and personal growth.

If this resonated with you or sparked a thought, I’d love for you to follow along.