Let’s face it: the world can feel like a lot sometimes. Between the noise, the speed, the pressure, and the never-ending stream of information and opinions, it’s no wonder so many of us are struggling just to keep our heads on straight.
I’ve thought about this a lot lately… “How does one stay sane in a seemingly insane world?”
Well, I certainly don’t have all the answers, but I do have a few things I do every single day that help keep me grounded. They’re not flashy. They won’t go viral. But they work (most of the time), and I thought I’d share them with you here.
1. Pick Your Battles… Carefully
I used to take everything on. Every conversation, every disagreement, every online outrage. But these days, I’m learning to consciously choose which battles are worth engaging in and which ones are just unnecessary stress in disguise.
Truth is, I don’t need external influences to stress me out, I can do that perfectly well on my own. So now, I’m much more selective about where I put my energy. If something doesn’t align with the kind of life I’m trying to live, I let it pass me by.
2. Create a Life Within the Life
Living in Yankalilla is, for me, a real-life expression of this idea. It’s quiet. It’s intentional. It’s a choice to live a reality that feels meaningful to me, one that exists within, but isn’t controlled by, the larger world around it.
Out here, I get to focus on what matters: music, writing, mindfulness, friendship. I’m not trying to escape the world, I’m just creating my own rhythm inside it.
3. Be Very Careful What You Let In
I’ve stopped watching TV and cut out all streaming services. I especially avoid the news, it just doesn’t serve me anymore.
The only thing I watch now is YouTube, and that’s because I get to choose exactly what I consume. Most of the time, it’s something educational, something that feeds my curiosity instead of draining me.
It’s amazing how different life feels when you filter out the noise.
4. Stay Connected With the People Who Matter
I keep in close contact with my friends. It’s not about how often we talk, it’s about the quality of the connection when we do.
A good conversation can re-calibrate your entire day. Real human connection is a lifeline in a world that often feels disconnected and chaotic.
5. Immerse Myself in Creativity
For me, creativity is a lifeline. Whether it’s songwriting, music practice, or running my recording studio for my own projects (and the projects of others), I try to live in that creative space as often as I can.
It’s not about chasing success, it’s about staying connected to the part of me that creates just because.
That’s sanity.
6. Make Time For Silence
I meditate every day. And for long stretches of time, there’s silence in the house. I mean proper silence, no music, no background noise, just stillness.
Most of the time, I’d rather hear nothing than have music constantly playing in the background. Silence helps me reset.
It’s in those quiet spaces that I find clarity. And peace.
7. Let Go of the Need to Be Right
This one was big for me. I used to need to be right, in conversations, debates, whatever. But I’ve done a lot of work on that, and I really do feel like I’ve made some serious progress.
These days, I don’t need to win arguments. I don’t need to change someone’s mind. I just need to live my truth and let others live theirs.
It’s incredibly freeing.
8. Make Small Acts Matter
I often say, “The smallest of changes make the biggest of differences,” and I really believe that. I try to do one small thing each day to centre myself. It could be journalling, stepping outside for a minute, brewing a slow cup of coffee, or just breathing deeply.
These small acts remind me that I’m alive, not just surviving, but actually living.
9. Help Where You Can
I’m lucky to live on a street where everyone knows each other and helps out when they can. There’s something beautiful about that kind of community, the kind that doesn’t make a big deal about it, just shows up when needed.
Through my blogs and my music, I try to share a little piece of myself with the world. If it helps someone else feel less alone, more seen, or just a little bit better, then that’s more than enough for me.
10. Go Offline Every Now and Then
Taking a break from technology has become an essential part of how I try to stay sane. I do my best to take regular tech detoxes and rediscover what it means to be a functioning human being again, without screens, without scrolling, without constant stimulation.
Those breaks remind me that there’s more to life than what’s happening online. And honestly, it’s during those quiet, disconnected times that I feel most alive.
I don’t have it all figured out. None of us do. But these small, consistent choices help me find some kind of balance in a world that often feels off-kilter.
Sanity, I think, is less about control and more about returning, to what matters, to what’s real, and to who you really are underneath it all.
If you’re feeling like the world’s gone mad… you’re not wrong. But you’re also not powerless. You can still choose how you move through it. I hope something in this post helps you find your footing again.
Please take care of yourself. You matter more than you think.
Peace
Corey 🙂
