Staying Grounded
These are the quiet practices that hold me steady
Lately, more than one person has asked me the same question:
“How do you stay so grounded?”
It’s not something I’ve ever consciously set out to be ‘known for’, and when the question came up the first time, I didn’t quite know how to answer it.
Not because there isn’t an answer; more because staying grounded doesn’t come from one big habit or moment. It’s built quietly, over time, through small, repeatable choices.
It made me reflect on what being grounded actually means to me.
What I Think It Means to Be Grounded
To me, a grounded person isn’t someone who has it all figured out or who never feels overwhelmed. To the contrary, I feel all these things from time to time, too! I think a grounded person is someone who knows how to return to themselves when life gets loud.
Being grounded is:
- Knowing when to push harder and when to pause
- Knowing not to chase every trend, opinion or expectation
- Knowing not to measure success by productivity but rather by alignment
- Knowing how to find peace in consistency rather than perfection
‘Groundedness’ isn’t about control. To me it’s about connection to your body, your values, your home, your people.
Small Rituals That Help Me Stay Grounded
I’m not a huge fan of rigid routines as they turn to shit when life throws a curve ball; instead I value certain rituals. These are simple practices that anchor me on a regular basis, when life feels busy or emotionally ‘overfull’.
Here are a few of the things I return to, again and again:
1. Simple, Consistent Movement
Movement brings me back into my body. Whether it’s a walk or a workout, it helps me clear noise and feel present again. I’ve learned that consistency matters more than intensity. I’ve recently started using an app called Hevy to log my workouts; love the motivation that comes from seeing your statistics.
2. Creating Order Around Me
Tidying a space, resetting a room, or simply putting things back where they belong has a grounding effect on me. Outer order often creates inner calm. As you can imagine, in a household with seven busy humans (each with their own series of interests and hobbies), things can easily feel untidy. Restoring order is one of my best rituals to feel grounded.
3. Protecting My Mornings
Starting the day slowly, with not one, but two cups of coffee, quietly, in my room makes a noticeable difference to how I show up to everyone for the rest of the day. Rushing first thing tends to set the tone for unnecessary chaos.
4. Staying Connected to What Matters
Time with my family, conversations, and being with the people I love keeps me anchored. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are my favourite ways to do this. I have favourite local spots where you’ll always find me: Seattle, LaCoco, Smoke, Raya, Doppio Zero. Enjoying a meal together reminds me what actually matters when everything else feels demanding.
5. Limiting Noise
I’m mindful of how much I consume:
socially, digitally and emotionally.
I have a small social battery and limit social events. I’d rather spend time with family at home.
I’ve taken a recent month-long break where I didn’t access any of the social media apps that I am on (what bliss!) I did realize that my business needs to keep an organic flow for marketing and decided to outsource my socials!
Less noise creates more clarity.
6. Returning to Faith and Gratitude
Prayer, reflection, and gratitude help me zoom out and trust the bigger picture, especially when things feel uncertain or heavy. It’s a quiet reminder that I don’t have to carry everything alone.
Grounded Is Something You Practice, Not Something You Achieve
What I’ve realised is that staying grounded isn’t about continually operating in a perfect state, it’s about learning how to return when you feel off-centre.
Some days that return is quick and gentle. Other days it takes effort and intention.
If you’ve been feeling scattered, tired, or disconnected, maybe try some of these simple grounding rituals:
- · Move your body for 2 to 15mins in whichever way you like – jump up and down (rebounder/ jump rope), walk, stretch, do pilates/ yoga poses, do a series of lunges/ squats
- · Get outside for a few moments of sunlight on your face, fresh air, greenery around you
- · Keep to a simple routine: 2x morning coffees, get dressed properly, load your car, drive the same route
- · Eat well and don’t skip meals
- · Keep to a simple night time routine to sleep well
- · Journal or write thoughts down to clear mental clutter
- · Limit constant noise: social media and the news specifically
- · Implement and stick to boundaries around work and availability
- · Pause before reacting to anything (this actually becomes a great habit!)
- · Pray, meditate, breathe or practice a moment of quiet reflection
- · Do gratitude practices to notice what is already good in your life
- · Live by personal values rather than outside validation
- · Return to your faith, purpose, or meaning when things feel shaky
- · Nurture a deep, honest relationship where you can be fully yourself
- · Create a moment with family or close friends that isn’t performative
- · Take a moment to be fully present with your children (they naturally anchor you to now. I sit on the carpet with one of them and before you know it, everyone joined in)
- · Ask for help (this is such a hard one for me, but it makes all the difference)
- · Tidy a space (even if it is just one drawer)
- · Cook, bake or make something with your hands
- · Read one or two pages instead of scrolling
- · Focus on slowing down (especially on weekends) instead of over-scheduling
- · Do fewer things, but with intention
- · Go sit in a coffee shop (yes, by yourself) and watch people going about their lives. I love doing this in the Hyde Park centre.