The Life-Changing Power of Stillness: How Avoiding It Keeps You Stuck
A couple of weeks ago, during a cycle class, the instructor said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“Show me the way you avoid stillness, and I’ll show you the patterns that ruin your life.”
The words hit me immediately. I realized how profoundly true they were. Many of us, especially those with ADHD or anxiety, struggle with stillness. We fill every gap in our day with scrolling, texting, working, or planning. The thought of doing nothing—even for a moment—can feel unbearable.
But what if stillness isn’t something to fear? What if embracing it could be the key to breaking free from unhealthy patterns?
The Link Between Avoiding Stillness and Unhelpful Patterns
Avoiding stillness isn’t just about being physically busy. It’s a reflection of deeper patterns—emotional avoidance, overstimulation, perfectionism, or fear of facing our own thoughts. Here are some common ways we resist stillness and how they might be holding us back:
Constant Phone Use – If you reach for your phone the moment you have downtime, you may be avoiding difficult emotions, boredom, or self-reflection.
Overcommitting – Filling your schedule to the brim can be a way to avoid sitting with discomfort or uncertainty.
Mindless Productivity – Staying perpetually “busy” might give a sense of control, but it often leads to burnout rather than fulfillment.
Mental Overload – Always thinking about what’s next keeps you disconnected from the present, preventing true relaxation or clarity.
How Mindfulness Helps You Break the Cycle
Mindfulness—the practice of being fully present without judgment—is the antidote to avoidance. It teaches us to sit with discomfort, observe our thoughts, and find peace in the present moment. Instead of running from stillness, mindfulness invites us to lean into it.
Simple ways to incorporate more mindfulness into daily life include:
Breath Awareness – Take a few deep breaths before checking your phone or rushing into the next task.
Single-Tasking – Fully engage in one activity at a time, whether it’s eating, walking, or listening to a friend.
Body Scans – Pause to notice physical sensations instead of ignoring them.
Tech Breaks – Reduce digital distractions and embrace moments of true presence
The Phone Wellness Challenge: A Practical Way to Reclaim Stillness
One of the biggest barriers to stillness and mindfulness is our relationship with our phones. If you find yourself reaching for your device out of habit, distraction, or avoidance, consider joining the Phone Wellness Challenge. This challenge is designed to help you build a healthier relationship with technology, cultivate presence, and invite more mindful moments into your life.
Throughout the challenge, you’ll receive small, manageable steps to:
Set intentional phone-free time
Create mindful screen habits
Replace mindless scrolling with meaningful activities
Tune into your thoughts and emotions without digital distraction
By reducing screen time, you create more opportunities for stillness, reflection, and deep presence—the very things that can transform your life.
Embrace Stillness, Transform Your Life
If the idea of stillness makes you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. But that discomfort is often a sign that it’s exactly what you need. Instead of avoiding it, try leaning in. Notice the thoughts and feelings that arise. Be curious about your habits. And most importantly, be gentle with yourself as you explore a new way of being.
Because the truth is, the patterns that ruin our lives are often the ones we’re too busy to notice. But with mindfulness, presence, and a little stillness, we can start to change them—one moment at a time.
Are you ready to slow down and be present? Join the Phone Wellness Challenge and start reclaiming your stillness today!
