BONUS: Finding Stillness Amidst The Chaos | Ryan and Samantha Holiday
Jan 31, 2025
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Samantha Holiday, co-host of The Daily Dad podcast and mother of four, joins her husband Ryan to explore finding stillness while juggling parenting and professional life. They delve into the Stoic concept of 'ataraxia' as a key to tranquility amidst chaos. The couple shares personal experiences on incorporating moments of calm into their busy routines and the importance of mental space over simply free time. They also discuss fostering inner peace in children, highlighting practical approaches for parents seeking balance in today's world.
Achieving stillness amidst chaos requires flexibility and adaptability, especially for parents balancing responsibilities and unexpected challenges.
Cultivating internal mindfulness and reflection is crucial for maintaining calm and clarity in the face of daily distractions and obligations.
Deep dives
The Challenge of Achieving Stillness
Achieving stillness amidst chaos is a significant challenge for many, especially for parents and business owners. The Stoic concept of ataraxia, or freedom from disturbances, resonates deeply in modern life, where external noise and constant obligations can disrupt mental peace. Individuals like Seneca and Blaise Pascal recognized the difficulty of finding calm, highlighting that even in historic times, distractions were prevalent. This struggle for stillness is intensified by the demands of parenting and managing daily responsibilities, making it vital to explore effective strategies for cultivating inner calm.
Flexibility and Prioritization
Flexibility emerges as a key element in navigating the busy lives of parents, allowing for adaptations based on unexpected circumstances. Establishing routines can quickly be overridden by the realities of family life, necessitating a shift from strict scheduling to adaptable practices. Identifying what tasks are essential and unique to an individual's capabilities can help prioritize efforts effectively. By focusing on core responsibilities and delegating other tasks, individuals can protect their time for creativity and meaningful interactions.
Internal Space Over External Time
Creating internal space for reflection and mindfulness often proves more effective than seeking external time to achieve stillness. The concept of 'revenge bedtime' demonstrates the lengths individuals may go to reclaim time for themselves, often exacerbating exhaustion. Emphasizing an internal mindset allows individuals to navigate daily tasks with clarity and calmness, rather than feeling overwhelmed. By practicing mindfulness in everyday activities, such as driving or managing tasks, individuals can cultivate a sense of peace that transcends external chaos.
While in Vancouver, mom of four asked Ryan - "How do I achieve stillness while being a parent and juggling everything in my business?" In today's bonus episode, Ryan and his wife Samantha are sharing their different answers to this question, breaking down what stillness means to them and how they work to cultivate it in day to day life. Check out The Daily Dad Podcast for more episodes like this!