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Are these 5 surprising things stealing your peace? When life feels chaotic, peace can seem like an impossible dream. The demands of everyday life—kids, work, the endless to-do list—can leave you feeling like you’re barely holding on. I get it. I’ve been there, and let me tell you, I know how heavy it feels when peace is nowhere to be found.

But here’s the thing: Sometimes, the things stealing our peace aren’t the obvious culprits like screaming kids or looming deadlines. Sometimes, they’re sneaky. They hide in plain sight, silently robbing us of clarity, joy, and calm.

That’s why today, I’m sharing 5 surprising things stealing your peace—and, more importantly, how to take it back.

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A Morning of Chaos (and a Lesson in Peace)

Let me start with a story that, looking back, is almost funny. At the time, though? It was anything but.

Picture this: It’s 7:00 a.m. I have to be at work no later than 8:00 a.m.—if I’m late, I’ll get written up, and three tardies mean termination. One daughter won’t get out of bed, the other has lost her homework folder, and the dog is barking like the house is on fire. Meanwhile, the indoor cat (who thinks she’s an outdoor cat) is yowling to be let out.

I’m standing in the kitchen, barely awake after 4 or 5 hours of sleep, frantically throwing food into lunchboxes and yelling, “We’re going to be late! AGAIN!”

Somehow, we make it to the car. I’m driving like a madwoman, slamming on the brakes at every red light, muttering under my breath. We pull up to my mom’s house to drop off the girls, and just as I’m about to pull away, one of them sheepishly says, “I forgot my shoes… again.”

Cue the frantic text to my mom’s neighbor:
“Can we borrow a pair of shoes… again?”

By the time I slipped into my cubicle at exactly 8:00 a.m., I was out of breath and on the verge of tears, knowing full well that tomorrow would probably look exactly the same.

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The Hidden Peace-Stealers

Looking back now, I can laugh about that morning. But back then, everything felt heavy. Like I was failing as a mom, a woman, and a human being.

I thought the problem was my kids not listening or the ticking clock. But the truth? It was deeper than that.

It was our lifestyle—the things in our home, the clutter in our schedules, and even the food in our refrigerator. It was the lack of the right kind of rest. It was the monotony of never creating anything new, just repeating the same stressful day over and over and over again, with fear always breathing down my neck.

And let’s not forget the overthinking. I’d spiral from, “Why can’t my kids listen to me?” to “They’re never going to learn responsibility!” to “What if they end up living in my basement forever?”

If any of this resonates, keep reading. These five surprising peace-stealers might be hiding in your life too.

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1. Environmental and Household Toxins

Did you know the products in your home might be silently stealing your peace? From laundry detergent to air fresheners, many everyday products are loaded with toxins that disrupt your hormones, cloud your mind, and even affect your emotions.

How to Fix It:
Start small. Replace one item in your home this week—like your all-purpose cleaner or candles—with a plant-based alternative. I use Young Living for most of my household products and have noticed a huge difference in how I feel.

Here are 10 non-toxic cleaning methods I use in my home.

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2. Gut Health

Your gut is like your body’s control center. When it’s out of balance, it can impact your mood, energy, and even your ability to think clearly. Ever notice how eating junk food for a few days leaves you feeling tired and cranky? That’s your gut talking.

How to Fix It:
Incorporate gut-friendly foods like yogurt, kimchi, and bone broth into your meals. Drinking water with lemon in the morning and taking a good probiotic can also help balance your microbiome.

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3. Too Much Input

We live in a world of constant noise—social media, news, texts, emails. All that input clutters your mind and leaves no space for clarity or calm.

How to Fix It:
Create boundaries for your screen time. One practice I love is a “digital sunset,” where I shut off all devices an hour before bed. Use that time to read, journal, or simply sit in quiet reflection.

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4. Not Getting the Right Type of Rest

Here’s a game-changer: Rest isn’t just about sleep. There are seven types of rest—physical, mental, emotional, sensory, social, spiritual, and creative. If you’re feeling exhausted even after a full night’s sleep, you might not be getting the right kind of rest.

How to Fix It:
Identify what type of rest you’re missing. Are you emotionally drained? Talk to a trusted friend. Overstimulated? Try sitting in silence for 10 minutes. For more, check out my podcast episodes 7-14, where I break down each type of rest.

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5. Not Creating Anything

We were created to create. But when we’re stuck in a cycle of consuming—endless scrolling, binge-watching Netflix—we lose the peace that comes from making something with our hands or minds.

How to Fix It:
Make space in your life to create. It doesn’t have to be perfect or “Pinterest-worthy.” Bake cookies, journal, paint, or brainstorm ideas. Creation brings calm to chaos, just as God modeled in Genesis.

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Practical Tools to Reclaim Your Peace

Here are three simple tools to help you take back your peace today:

1. Be Present in the Moment:
   Matthew 6:34 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Focus on what’s in front of you.
2. Practice Gratitude:
   Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Gratitude shifts your focus from problems to blessings.
3. Spend Time with God:
   Lean into His promise: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). Worship, journal, or take a walk in nature to reconnect with Him.

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Ready to Reclaim Your Peace?

If this resonated with you and these 5 surprising things are stealing your peace, I’d love to hear about it. Which of these peace-stealers hit home for you? Let’s chat in the Breakthrough to Your Calling Facebook group, or tune into my podcast for Christian women for even more insights and encouragement.

Remember: Peace isn’t just possible—it’s a promise. And it starts with small, intentional steps. You’ve got this!

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Creative Rest: Holistic Life Coaching Episode 7 of Our Rest Series | Ep 13
The Importance of Rest – Episode 1 of the Rest Series | Ep 7
10 Things Stealing Your Peace—and How to Find It Again | Ep 26