Anchoring Your Mind: Daily Life Hacks for Lasting Peace and Joy

The Power of Mindset

Peace begins in the mind. One of my favorite Scriptures, Isaiah 26:3, says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality, and when our minds are anchored in God, peace follows. This verse became particularly meaningful during the time of my mother’s passing. When my world seemed to be crashing down, I held onto this promise daily, anchoring my mind in Him, and found my peace restored. I still lean on this promise today when my peace is disrupted by grief, fear, doubt, or anxiety—feelings often amplified by the world. John 16:33 reminds us that despite the troubles we face, we can still find peace in Christ.

Learn to challenge negative thoughts and replace them with scriptural affirmations. When confronted with anxiety or doubt, remind yourself of God’s promises and focus on His truth. Combat the tactics of an ancient enemy with the ancient sword of the Word of God, which holds power and life against all peace-disrupting schemes. True peace isn’t found in the absence of chaos but in the presence of a steadfast mind focused on God. Keep your mind aligned with His Word, and you’ll experience a peace that transcends understanding.

Prioritize Your Time to Prioritize Your Peace

Time is a precious resource, and how we manage it directly impacts our peace. If you’ve ever hit snooze or overslept for school, work, or an early appointment, you know the feeling of spending the rest of the day trying to catch up. It’s as if you’re constantly racing against the clock, thinking, "There just isn’t enough time in the day." The same hurriedness happens when you’re running late with an already packed schedule. Poor time management sets a chaotic tone for your day, leaving you stressed and overwhelmed. Psalm 90:12 encourages us to "number our days" so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. By prioritizing tasks and using our time wisely, we can reduce stress and increase peace.

Here are some practical tips to help you manage your time more effectively, boosting productivity while reducing stress. Start each day by identifying the most important tasks on your to-do list and tackling them first. A planner can be a valuable tool to organize your day and track tasks and appointments. If a physical planner doesn’t suit your style, use the calendar app on your phone for reminders. Practice time-blocking by setting alarms to signal when it’s time to focus on the next task. Dedicating specific blocks of time to particular activities helps you avoid distractions and stay productive. Managing your time effectively allows you to concentrate on what truly matters, bringing peace to your daily life.

Mindful Consumption and Digital Detox

In today’s digital age, we are constantly bombarded with information, much of which can negatively impact our peace of mind. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." In guarding our heart, we must also guard our eyes and ears. What we consume—whether through social media, news, or entertainment—deeply influences our thoughts, emotions, and overall well-being.

Social media can be entertaining, but it also fills our minds with unnecessary, non-beneficial content. Mindless scrolling is a habit worth breaking. While completely abandoning social media might not be realistic, setting boundaries can significantly reduce its negative impact. By limiting the time spent on social platforms, you can prevent anxiety and the trap of comparison.

Regular digital detoxes offer an opportunity to reconnect with God, nature, family, friends, and yourself. This doesn’t mean getting rid of your devices, but rather using time-blocking to schedule specific periods for checking social media, emails, and watching shows. Binge-watching can be as addictive as scrolling, so consider delaying your next episode by an hour or two. Use that time to read a few pages of a self-improvement book, take a mindful walk, or simply meditate and talk with God. Whether it’s an hour or a few days, a digital detox can help you realize just how much time is wasted on things that don’t truly matter.

When you do spend time on social media or unwind with a series on Netflix or Hulu, choose uplifting content. Focus on consuming material that encourages, inspires, and uplifts your spirit. If watching the news triggers anxiety, switch it off and find something more positive. If you scroll through a few reels or TikToks, but be mindful not to linger on those that lead to comparison or self-doubt. Interestingly, algorithms adapt to your behavior—the more you engage with encouraging content, the more it will appear in your feed.

Sometimes, stepping back from the noise of the world is the key to discovering your true self. By being intentional about what you consume, you protect your peace and maintain a healthy state of mind.

Hobbies and Interests: Find Joy in What You Do

Work and responsibilities are important, but so is taking time to enjoy life. Ecclesiastes 3:13 encourages us to find happiness in our work and activities. Engaging in hobbies and creative pursuits not only brings joy but also adds balance to life, reducing stress and enhancing peace.

Explore your creativity by identifying activities that spark joy and inventiveness—whether it’s painting, gardening, writing, or playing an instrument. Make time for your hobbies. If you don’t have one, set aside time in your day to discover your interests. Maybe you’re a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of three like me, spending most of your day cooking, cleaning, and teaching, and you’ve forgotten the simple things you once enjoyed doing. Recently, I jumped on the sourdough baking train. My grandfather used to joke that no one should ever let me bake the bread because I always burnt it. Now, here I am perfecting multiple types of sourdough bread, muffins, and pizzas. I think I’ll even try sourdough cookies soon! My point is, find something you enjoy, and schedule regular time for activities you love, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. (Although, if you’re considering sourdough, you’ll definitely need more than a few minutes!)

Don’t be afraid to try something new. Embrace new interests—sometimes a new hobby can bring unexpected joy and fulfillment while also allowing you to connect with God, yourself, and others. I never saw myself as a baker, but it’s opened my mind to the possibilities of my capabilities while providing a therapeutic sense of calm to my day. The joy of seeing and tasting beautiful, handmade bread is intensified when I see how much my family and friends enjoy it as well. Pursuing hobbies that bring you joy is a form of self-care and a way to experience God’s gift of life to the fullest. You’ll learn more about who you are, discovering talents and capabilities within you. By making time for what you love, you nurture your spirit and cultivate inner peace.

Micro Habits for a Positive Life

Small habits create a big impact. Sometimes, it’s the little changes that make the biggest difference. Micro habits are simple, intentional actions that, when practiced consistently, lead to significant improvements in peace and well-being. These habits are easy to implement and can transform your mindset over time.

Daily affirmations are one such micro habit that can greatly enhance your daily life. Start each day with a positive statement about yourself and your circumstances. Stephen’s personal affirmation is, “Today is going to be a good day.” I spent a few weeks starting each day by writing down three things I was grateful for. I made it a point to search my mind each day for three new things I hadn’t acknowledged before. This habit forces your mind to seek out the positive, helping you find joy in places you might have overlooked. Personally, it sets the tone for your day on a positive, thankful note that carries through into the rest of your day. I am reminded to implement this practice once again and be more intentional to include qualities and gifts within myself that I am grateful for but have dismissed or overlooked.

Another powerful habit is breathwork—practice deep, belly breathing to calm your mind and reduce stress. As Stephen likes to say, “Inhale peace, exhale stress.” You can find a guided morning meditation on the Contemporary Speaks YouTube channel. Speaking from experience, I’ve noticed a marked difference between the days I start with positive meditation and the days I don’t.

Nightly gratitude meditation is another micro habit that can intentionally bring positivity and thankfulness into your life, gradually shifting your mindset from "Negative Nancy" to "Positive Polly." Before bed each night, reflect on the things you’re grateful for—the small, seemingly insignificant highlights of your day. For me, these moments include when my soon-to-be eight-year-old son says something silly that, in his mind, is a compliment, like “You look like a beautiful penguin.” These highlights also include moments when my daughters take the initiative to help with cooking or cleaning without being asked, or when my husband takes a few minutes from his busy workday to FaceTime me and make me laugh. It’s simply about taking a moment to focus on the positive aspects of your life.

Every small, intentional habit you develop brings you one step closer to a life of greater peace and fulfillment. With consistent practice, these micro habits will reshape your mindset and lead to lasting positive change.

Steps Toward Lasting Peace and Fulfillment

Finding peace and purpose in life is not a distant dream but a reachable reality. By aligning your mindset with God’s Word, managing your time wisely, being mindful of what you consume, nurturing your interests, and adopting positive micro habits, you can cultivate a life rich in peace, joy, and fulfillment. Start today by incorporating these life hacks, and watch as your inner peace grows and positively impacts your daily life.

Take a moment to reflect on your current mindset and time management. Embrace small changes that lead to meaningful transformation. Peace and purpose are within your reach—are you ready to take that first step? True peace is found in God, and as you align your life with His principles, you’ll discover a deeper sense of fulfillment and joy. The journey toward peace and purpose is ongoing, but with God’s guidance and these practical steps, you can find calm even in life’s most challenging moments.

Finding peace in today's chaotic world might seem impossible, but it’s closer than you think. The challenge lies not in the external world but in our approach to the small details of daily life. By mastering time management, protecting our mental space, and nurturing our creativity, we can uncover the peace that surpasses all understanding.

In Episode 35 of Something Has to Change, Stephen shares practical, biblically grounded life hacks for cultivating peace and purpose. These strategies focus on mindset, time management, mindful consumption, hobbies, and micro habits—tools that help us navigate life's challenges with intention.

Want to dive deeper?

Watch the full episode