Finding Calm In The Chaos
The Power of Understanding Impermanence
When life feels like a whirlwind — deadlines stacking up, messages pinging, responsibilities pulling in every direction — it’s easy to feel swept into overwhelm, feeling like this won’t end and those old negative thinking patterns start chatting loudly. This is how I’ve been feeling since returning from our holiday. Side note: the holiday was amazing with so many new experiences and amazing scenery! Unfortunately, I returned with a flu, my calendar was overflowing and I had committed to more than my usual.
In the midst of this busyness, my mind was craving stability and stillness. I started seeking control and certainty. This was a warning sign to me I had slipped back into my behavioural patterns. You see it’s in these very moments of chaos that understanding impermanence becomes not just comforting, but essential.
What Is Impermanence?
Impermanence is the simple, profound truth that everything changes. Seasons shift. Emotions rise and fall. Relationships evolve. Even the chaos we experience today will not last forever. At first, this idea can sound unsettling — after all, we often seek permanence as a source of safety. But seen differently, impermanence is a promise: no storm lasts forever.
Why It Matters When Life Is Busy
When we’re overwhelmed, we often fall into the illusion that things will always be this way — that the stress, the pressure, the demands will never end. This thinking feeds anxiety and burnout. Remembering impermanence helps to zoom out. It invites perspective: this moment, however intense, is only a passing chapter in a much larger story.
By embracing change, we allow ourselves to:
Pause instead of react.
Let go of perfectionism and control.
Find gratitude in fleeting moments of calm or beauty.
Adapt more easily when plans shift or expectations crumble.
Practical Ways to Live Impermanence
Pause and breathe. Notice your breath — a moment-by-moment reminder that nothing stays still. Each inhale and exhale is a quiet practice in letting go. This is my go to in these moments – Breath is what we do daily, if we change it slightly it can have a profound impact on our nervous system/mental state and its free!
Label the moment. When stress hits, say to yourself: “This is temporary.” Naming impermanence helps the nervous system settle.
Practice micro-gratitude. A warm cup of coffee, a kind text, the softness of morning light — these are impermanent too and noticing them trains your mind to appreciate the now.
Reflect, don’t resist. Instead of fighting change, ask, “What is this moment teaching me?” Often, the most chaotic seasons prepare us for growth.
A Gentle Reframe
Impermanence doesn’t mean detachment or indifference. It means being fully present with what is — knowing it will change. It invites tenderness toward ourselves and others, and freedom from the pressure to hold everything together perfectly.
When life feels busy and chaotic, remembering that this too shall pass isn’t avoidance — it’s wisdom. It helps us soften, breathe, and trust that movement and stillness both belong to the rhythm of being human.
No storm lasts forever so make sure you dance in the rain at some point 😊
Until next time – Love, Health and Happiness to you all.
Cath