Chaos: My Constant Companion (And How I Finally Learned to Laugh About It)

Paul Zabala
3 min readMar 3, 2024

We all want that elusive feeling of ‘Zen’ — serenity in the middle of the insane whirlwind of daily life. But what if I told you that chasing perfect peace is like chasing a unicorn? That sometimes the best meditation is a good laugh?

I’m here to tell you that ditching the quest for perfect calm, embracing the chaos, and (most importantly) laughing at the absurdity is how we actually find some peace of mind.

Photo by Peter Herrmann on Unsplash

The Myth of Perfect Peace

We get sold this image of tranquility — sitting cross-legged on a mountaintop, a gentle breeze, not a single worry in the world. That’s great in theory, but real life throws curveballs. Unexpected problems, chaotic routines… these things are going to happen.

Chasing “perfect peace” is like setting yourself up to always be a little disappointed. The irony is, that search for absolute calm can become even more stressful than the chaos we’re trying to escape!

Chaos: That Guy at the Party Who Won’t Leave

Think of chaos like that slightly annoying party guest who overstays their welcome. You can’t control whether they show up, but you can control how you react. That’s where resilience comes in. Here’s how to handle ‘Chaos Guy’:

  • Accept and Acknowledge: Don’t fight it, recognize it’s a thing that happens.
  • Simplify and Prioritize: When chaos turns up the volume, focus on what truly matters.
  • Ask for Backup: No shame in leaning on your friends, family, or even a therapist for a fresh perspective while you navigate the craziness.

Life: The Beautifully Flawed Tapestry

Here’s the thing — your life isn’t supposed to be a perfectly woven, Instagram-filter dream. The messy bits, the detours, the ‘how on Earth did THAT happen?’ moments — that’s where the realness is. Embracing that is incredibly freeing.

When we start seeing those stumbles as part of the story, not failures, we build resilience. Imperfection leads to understanding, to growth, even to surprising moments of unexpected joy.

Laughter: My Secret Weapon

Laughter is my favorite way to combat chaos. Think of seeking out those moments of humor as meditation for the soul. Why is it so powerful?

  • Lightens the Load: A good laugh changes your perspective, makes problems feel more manageable.
  • Reminds You You’re Human: We’re all stumbling through this, laughter connects us in that messiness.
  • It’s Medicine: Science actually backs this stuff up, laughter really does help with stress.

Mindfulness: An Anchor in the Storm

While laughter’s fantastic, sometimes you need a minute to regroup. Mindful breathing is a seriously underrated tool in the fight against stress and overwhelm. Taking a few deep breaths, focusing on the rise and fall of your chest, helps bring you back to the present moment when the world feels like it’s spinning.

FAQs (Because It’s Medium, Right?)

  • Can I eat my way to inner peace? Short answer: Kinda. What you eat impacts mood, so a healthy diet matters!
  • Do I need to ditch my phone to find ‘Zen’? Not necessarily, but mindful digital detoxes can be a huge help.
  • What about exercise? HUGE for mental resilience. Your body is your foundation for handling anything life throws at you.

The Not-So-Peaceful Conclusion

True peace isn’t about everything being perfect. It’s about finding joy, humor, and grounding even when things are messy. Think of it like learning to dance in the rain — a storm will still happen, but how you move within it is where the magic is.

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Paul Zabala

I write about life, work and everything in between. Enjoy!