Episode 30: The Everyday Habits That Create Inner Peace (No To-Do List Required)

Inner peace isn’t something you earn after life settles down—it’s something you can access right now.

In this episode, I’m sharing a few everyday habits that have genuinely helped me cultivate more inner peace—not research-based, not another to-do list, but lived and embodied practices I’ve learned through my own journey and thousands of hours working with clients.

We talk about how the ego thrives on drama, why overwhelm and anxiety are often signs of misalignment rather than something being “wrong,” and how your perception of life shapes your experience more than you may realize.

I also walk you through four simple ways of being that support a quieter mind and a more grounded inner world:

• Moving in alignment with yourself
• Returning to presence
• Practicing gratitude (even during hard moments)
• Learning to trust yourself and your own guidance

Timestamp:

00:00 Introduction to Purposely Peaceful

00:21 Essential Habits for Inner Peace

03:02 The Power of Perception

06:34 Moving in Alignment

08:00 Being Present in the Moment

08:54 The Importance of Gratitude

10:46 Learning to Trust Yourself

12:39 Final Thoughts and Inspiration

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in your head, or tired of trying to control everything just to feel okay—this episode is a gentle reminder that peace is available to you now

You Don’t Need a New Year — You Need Direction

After an unexpected break, I’m back and reflecting on what rest revealed for me. Slowing down was necessary, but it also showed me that rest alone doesn’t always bring clarity. Sometimes what we really need is direction.

In this episode, I talk about letting go of pressure, using any moment as a reset point, and moving forward without being rigid or hard on yourself. This isn’t about perfect goals or forcing motivation, it’s about flexibility, internal momentum, and giving yourself permission to pivot.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why rest doesn’t always equal grounding
• How pressure around goals creates burnout and discouragement
• The difference between external dopamine and internal motivation
• Why action (even imperfect action) creates relief and momentum
• How to set flexible intentions without getting attached to outcomes
• Why you’re not behind—you just need to adjust direction

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disappointed with how things are unfolding, this episode is a reminder that you don’t need to start over. You just need to recalibrate and keep going.

Any day is a good day to reset. Direction matters more than timing.

Time stamps:

00:00 Welcome to Purposely Peaceful

00:21 Taking a Much-Needed Break

02:12 Reflecting on 2025

04:50 Setting Goals and Intentions for 2026

06:48 The Importance of Flexibility

08:19 Healthy Dopamine and Self-Improvement

09:15 Overcoming Anxiety and Taking Action

15:38 The Power of Small Steps

18:16 Embracing Change and Moving Forward

21:09 Conclusion and Gratitude

That One Sentence That Changed My Life (and Maybe It’ll Change Yours Too)

In this episode, I share the one simple sentence that completely shifted how I see myself — and still challenges me to grow today. It’s an honest look at how facing what we’re worst at can open the door to real peace, confidence, and transformation.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The surprising sentence that replays in my mind — and why it matters.
• How being “the best at what I’m the worst at” changed everything for me.
• Why inner peace isn’t about perfection, but about embracing all of who we are.
• What to do when growth feels uncomfortable or impossible.
• How small, consistent effort turns weakness into wisdom.

It’s an invitation to stop hiding from the parts of yourself that need love the most — because they just might hold your greatest potential.

0:00 Introduction to Purposely Peaceful

00:21 A Life-Changing Sentence

01:23 Embracing Inner Peace

02:01 Facing Our Worst Qualities

03:11 The Path to Self-Improvement

04:22 Practical Steps for Growth

08:16 Investing in Yourself

10:23 Overcoming Challenges

11:26 Reflecting on Growth

12:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

✨ Stay connected:

Want to see more of my real life and glimpses of peace? Follow me on

Instagram → @jess_riverak

Website → purposelypeaceful.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love for you to rate and review it. Your feedback helps me continue to grow and reach more people who need this message!

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host and are for informational purposes only. They are not intended as professional advice, and each individual should assess their personal situation and seek professional guidance when needed.