Why Stillness Is The Key To Happiness

In his book Stillness is the Key, Ryan Holiday writes that: “The call to stillness comes quietly. The modern world does not.”

We’ve got so many things vying for our attention on a daily basis. The stress of work, family responsibilities, financial worries, seeing everything that’s wrong with the world on the news, social media.

But who has the power to stop? Or time to think?

The irony is that we use that feeling of overwhelm as an excuse to not make time for stillness, yet our daily struggles become much easier to deal with when we act from a place of stillness instead of stress. And I think that, intuitively, we know that.

Truly great people share this key quality, which is the ability to be still, even while the world rages around them. We just have to be proactive and make time for it.

Stillness is not the same as idleness or nothingness. It’s about slowing down time, appreciating the little things, thinking about what truly matters, and being in a state of calm.

Stillness is that time when you had a brilliant idea come up out of nowhere or that time when you wrote this thoughtful article almost without effort. It’s watching the sunset without wanting to take out your phone to share it online.

I’ve found that I’m the happiest when I feel calm and peaceful inside. It’s why I’m interested in living with intention: slow living, minimalism, things of that nature. And actually, happy doesn’t even seem like the right word, content is more accurate.

The state of mind where I feel grounded, balanced, no matter what life throws at me. That does more for my well-being than anything external.

Over the years, there have been a few practices that I keep going back to whenever I notice I’ve gone too far into the red. These habits help me to slow down, recenter, and regain this feeling of stillness. Maybe some of them might be helpful to you, too.

Resources mentioned in the video:

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Intro
00:16 My Journey to Finding Stillness
04:59 Cultivate Solitude
08:02 Limit screen time
09:57 Do Something Meaningful

– WHAT TO WATCH NEXT –

– LINKS –

📚 Interesting books to read:

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

[lindajackson]

I am a introvert and I live my life the way I want it. If my screen time is higher than last week..so what…no shabatt for me…. I am at peace, stillness…..my motto is live your life….❤

[footlongsubzero]

Not too sure where I am at the moment tbh. I feel like a leaf blowing in the wind and have no solid goals 🤷🏽‍♂️. Let's try be still, shall we. I'm going to set a 10min timer and be still/meditate after I post this comment 😑🙏. Great video btw 👍

[jpriddle]

The story of finding joy with the hedgehog really resonates with me. I camp and backpack a lot in the wilderness. For a long time, I would take in the sights while thinking about the miles, next campsite, equipment I have, etc. At one point, I began to take time after lunch to relax for a few minutes. As I would observe nature around me, I began to notice all kinds of things that I previously didn’t notice while always moving. An insect on a plant. A bird’s repeated behavior as it flies back and forth. The way that branches move in the wind. As you described, this slowing of time into the moment opened up a whole world being present and drawing me into it.

Thank you for the wonderful video and reflections.

[spoly]

Yes, it's the quiet, simple life that will bring us the inner peace we seek.

[lisaplummer]

Thank you! This is very helpful. I love solitude but I do sometimes get in my head about it, especially in the Winter when the days are so short and work feels so long. My work is meaningful but I may have to address the 9 hour days that keep me from my little sanctuary of home. I really appreciate your help!

[emilyihde]

Thank you for including so many book recommendations in your videos! I love being able to dive deeper into the topics you bring up.

[marialoukadounos]

I am loving your videos, what a gift to have found you

[wiftlake]

It did help at least one person! Thank you!

[leavemealone]

Your videos always help me!
I might not see it when it came out, but I love to listen to on the weekend to decompress
I am trully blessed to have found your channel. Hope you never stop uploading 😊

[sonybluraydisk]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, I greatly appreciate it. Have a great day, Peter.

[kedardeodhar]

thank you for a great clip. I can relate to it. I seek solitude; it makes me calm and brings clarity of thoughts. But, it is difficult to get that in the fast moving world.

[vaythecreator]

Dude, thank you for this.
The ending especially was exactly what i need it to hear and keep reminding myself
You are the best!

[JoAnnCorley]

giving permission to be still is a gift. To just "be" is so enjoyable. ... finally arranging my life to experience these on a regular 👍

[cbcb]

I resonate with so much of this video. You are so self aware of the lifetime of learning that benefits us all. I do like the way you share your learning journey.
Stillness is indeed a difficult concept when our lives are out of balance, your tips are very insightful. When my journey into stillness first started it was so difficult to switch off and climb down from the hamster wheel. I had to learn to claim stillness rather than 'slow down' into it.
For example I had to rethink the queues at the supermarket. I had no choice but to stand and hope I had chosen the right one.
Before Stillness I would chastise myself if I had picked the wrong queue. Now I look at the queue as an opportunity to claim that time to mindfully meditate or just look out at the the nature in outside.
I had a job that required me to travel by car at times. Although I had to pay attention to my driving I tried to incorporate stillness by narrating parts of my journey such as saying 'I am approaching a junction that has a poplar tree overshadowing the large house'. Although technically that isn't Stillness it did support my method of being still when I could because it made me think about things other than work. Thank you

[NorthToSouthChannel]

I am so glad I found your channel. I've been enjoying the other "slow living" videos out there, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the idyllic "country cottage core" genre as it's very far away from my own reality. They are beautiful to watch and escape into... but your videos bring me peace knowing that slow living and the desire to be present and full of gratitude does not need to look a certain way. Your videos are so important!

[mikew]

Peter, a great video and of the few I've caught on your channel I continue to be more impressed and find much what you share of real value. Social Media is toxic in my book but YouTube is definitely of a different genre if you will. I feel this strong connection to our hosts and it's audience. Love reading other listeners comments and learning from them as well. No one seems too reserved something going on in their own lives. But in the end so much to be said 'silently' about Stillness, no noise and in your own little corner of the world where I never feel alone, only at peace and with comfort. Namaste!!

[ArpTrivedi]

Thanks again, Peter, for being your very genuine self. Good reminder about the digital sabbath. Cheers, my friend.

[eh]

Thank you for framing stillness and solitude in this way. I have a tendency to regard my enjoyment of solitude as a guilty pleasure, when there's absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. My soul craves peace and quiet and gentle communion with nature.

[AustinGirl]

Your videos are getting better and better. There's not doubt that your channel is set to grow. Such meaningful and thought-provoking content with great book suggestions too! Best wishes from Texas!🥰

[geoffcsax]

Your videos are really well put together. I appreciate the fact that you put a pic of the book you are quoting on screen, as then I can take a pic if I am interested in reading it.