Balm-Scrolling, Soothing Interiors & Freaking Out

By now you probably know a little about how the brain responds neurochemically with dopamine and oxytocin to all those short-form videos of cute animals and babies on your feeds. It’s unclear whether short term video brings more harm than good to our brains and attention spans, but that’s another discussion. This morning, I’m bleary-eyed and rattled by last night’s bad dreams as I ponder what I’m coining BALM-SCROLLING. When we self-soothe with images of calm rooms during chaotic seasons, are we resting? Rotting? Repressing?

Balm-Scrolling + Soothing Interiors Inspiration

Listen to an expert explain the brain’s response to short video cuteness:

I share tranquil interiors inspiration so for folks who admire that content, a similar neurochemical response may occur. For example, here are some spaces capturing eyeballs on my FB page:

English country style bespoke kitchens with timeless designs charm the masses.

So do bath designs that feel like a mini world escape within the home.

Chalky paint colors capture plenty of attention, and many of us favor atmospheric muddy colors that aren’t easy to quickly decode. Do those colors land more softly on the psyche?

Surfing Uncertainty in an Evolving Culture

It is a remarkable time to be alive, yes? Revolution happening in real time before our eyes as global governments, markets, and cultures shift. In anxious seasons (has a balmy season existed?), “nervous system regulation” is a hot topic. Folks wiser than me caution against calming when there is a need to energize and organize.

Discernment is indeed a challenge to decide how to respond, prepare, recover, and resist. I personally don’t know how one does this without a strong spiritual center and daily practice.

Is it naive to be hopeful? Is our primitive wiring for negativity bias a blessing or a curse in these uncertain times?

Is chaos keeping us stuck in fight/flight as a minority calmly profits in secret? What is taking shape? I have plenty of questions for you and few answers.

I only know I have never been as interested in history, not just for context but…get ready for it…as a balm and encouragement. I don’t long for things to go backward (racism, inequality for women), but incredible movements in history remind us how a way was made when there was no way.

The collective must be courageous, strong, and move beyond politeness. It may not be calm kittens with cortisol-low bloodstreams and balm-scrolled brains who are equipped to usher in a better future.

What Are We Longing For?

Trending interiors tend to reflect shelters we long for as anxiety and uncertainty grow.

But do we truly understand what we need to feel more ease? Information overload from screens shapes our appetites and reinforces our doubts and fears. As I work through anger, a teaching from Caroline Myss resonated about how anger can be like a blood clot that wants to move through.

My ongoing work involves exploring and transforming negative energy; I can’t do it without being in constant dialogue with the divine. The biggest help comes when I seek the grace for a new mind and daily transformation.

Is any of this discussion hanging together in a coherent way? Because it feels like I’m rambling.

Keep Calm and Carry On?

All of these paradoxical ideas about yearning for calm, finding moments of rest during cultural unrest, AND recognizing how excessive calm may threaten the effectiveness of liberation work…somehow they must be held.

In the Mean Time, Meditate

Since I remain clueless as to whether I am under-reacting or not freaking out enough, I am equipping myself as best I can. Prayer and meditation allow me to be in relationship and to practice stillness despite the discomfort of mixed feelings, uncertainty, and despair. I’m also turning to spiritual teachers with a level of maturity and humility.

Finding New Tools to Cope

I know many of you turn to creative pursuits and activities that take you out of your mind and into your heart.

For whatever reason, it has been challenging to create art here in the desert. There’s a density in the landscape (and even the dusty air) I’m learning to work with as I attend to my soul.

I’m learning to trust my intuition and bravely examine faulty belief systems. Prayer is ever important. Grace is effervescent.

Effervescence remains one of my favorite words to describe the higher level of consciousness in which I long to live.

Still UP and TRYING (and Crying)

Is it healthy to momentarily escape into interior design books and inspiration online, away from the headlines?

Let me know your thoughts about balance and how you find it in the age of smartphones.

I’m looking at calm interiors in a fresh way these days.

Beyond admiring calm decor, embodying calm feels critical. Do you also find this to be the case in your relationships?

However, calm is not always the appropriate response when the battle demands a fight.

As all things artificial and untrue increase on our screens, the charade warrants caution. I hunger for the real.

Sorry Not Sorry

Are you up and trying and crying like me? Those tears belong.

Are you staying curious and tender? Seeking help when you need it?

Are you noticing the invitations God brings when a new burden arrives?

Those responses help me to calm without the balm-scrolling or algorithmic nonsense.

I am learning on my own contemplative journey that each day brings new opportunities for humbleness. (Translation: I keep messing this stuff up constantly and falling flat on my face.)

Looking back…a year ago, life grew complicated and it became important to allow myself to make mistakes. Good gracious, I maybe outdid myself…hahahaha. Seeds of hope?

p.s. Keep calm and carry on! But if un-calming yourself is the next right thing to do within your integrity…definitely YIELD TO YOUR INTEGRITY!

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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