Life is messy. Whether you're a hairstylist running on fumes after back-to-back clients, a parent managing 47 million things at once, or just trying to keep your shit together in this wild world—we've all been there. The stress piles up, and before you know it, you're stuck in a cycle of overwhelm, burnout, and that dreaded feeling of "I can't do this anymore."
But what if I told you that you don’t have to live like this?
Welcome to the Calm TF Down foundational skill of my Active Awareness methodology. This isn’t about lighting candles, chanting mantras, or pretending life isn’t insane sometimes. (Although, hey, if candles and mantras work for you, I’m all for it!) This is about practical, real-life tools to actually manage stress, quiet the noise in your brain, and reclaim a sense of calm—even when life is anything but.
What Is Active Awareness?
Before we dive in, let’s talk about what Active Awareness is all about. This pillar of my CALM methodology focuses on staying present, centered, and intentional in your day-to-day life. Think of it as the antidote to autopilot.
Within Active Awareness, Calm TF Down is where the magic happens. It’s about finding your calm your way—even if that looks more like taking five deep breaths in the bathroom between clients than a picture-perfect meditation on a mountain.
Why Calm Matters
Here’s the truth: chronic stress isn’t just bad for your mental health—it’s a wrecking ball for your physical health too. For hairstylists especially, stress can amplify chronic pain, trigger flare-ups of illnesses, and leave you feeling like a shell of yourself.
Calming TF down isn’t a luxury. It’s a survival skill. And it’s one you can absolutely master, no matter how busy, overwhelmed, or scattered you feel.
How to Calm TF Down in Real Life
1. The "Pause-and-Breathe" Method
The next time you feel yourself spiraling, STOP. Literally, just stop what you’re doing for 30 seconds and take five slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for four counts, exhale through your mouth for four counts, and hold the exhale for four counts. It's called square breathing, or box breathing.
This may sound overly simple, but trust me—it’s a game changer. There's a reason Navy Seals are trained in this breathing method. Slowing your breath tells your nervous system to chill, which helps you think more clearly and react less emotionally.
2. Set Tiny Boundaries (and Actually Enforce Them)
It’s impossible to stay calm if you’re constantly saying "yes" to everything and everyone. Start small:
Block off 10 minutes in your schedule to just sit and breathe (scarfing down your lunch while you scroll your phone, pee, and drink your coffee all at the same time does NOT count!).
Don’t respond to work texts after a certain time.
Say “no” to one thing this week that you really don’t want to do.
Boundaries = freedom. And freedom = calm.
3. Create a "Reset Ritual"
You don’t need hours to reset your mind. A 5-minute ritual can do wonders for resetting your energy. Some ideas:
Step outside and feel the sun on your face.
Play your favorite song and dance it out.
Write down 3 things you’re grateful for.
The key is consistency—find something that works for you and make it a daily habit.
4. Let Go of Perfection
Spoiler alert: You’re not perfect, and you don’t have to be. Stop holding yourself to impossible standards, and instead, focus on progress over perfection. That messy to-do list? It’ll still be there tomorrow, and that’s okay.
What Happens When You Calm TF Down?
When you make calming the fuck down a priority, you start to notice some serious shifts:
You feel more present and less overwhelmed.
Your body responds with less pain and more energy.
You have more patience—for others and, more importantly, for yourself.
You start to enjoy life again instead of just surviving it.
Ready to Calm TF Down?
Learning to calm TF down isn’t about fixing your life overnight. It’s about taking one small step at a time toward a calmer, more grounded version of yourself. And I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
If this resonates with you, stay tuned for more tools, tips, and support—or better yet, check out my 14-Day Mindset Makeover Kickstart to start building these habits into your life right now. (PS - there's a special bonus coming for anyone who downloads this before 1/19/25!)
Because you deserve to feel calm, in control, and ready to handle whatever life throws your way—without losing your mind.
Here’s to calming the fuck down and taking back your life, one deep breath at a time.
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