🛠️ Tools for Stillness: Practical Practices for a Restless World

Bonny Boice
Aug 8
2 min read

A companion piece to “Stillness Is the Key: A Joy Practice in Three Frames”

“Stillness is not about focusing on nothingness; it’s about creating space for everything that matters.”— Pico Iyer

We live in a world that never stops talking. Our inboxes overflow, our calendars fill up, and even our “free time” can feel frantic. In this culture of constant motion, stillness may seem like a luxury.

But I’ve come to believe stillness is a necessity. A vital leadership tool. A radical act of self-trust.

This blog is a practical companion to my earlier reflection, Stillness Is the Key. There, I shared three quiet moments that reminded me of the why. Here, I offer a few tools for the how.

These are not rules. They are invitations. Pick one, try it, make it yours.

🧰 Your Stillness Toolkit

1. The 60-Second Reset

Just one full minute.Close your eyes. Inhale for 4. Exhale for 8. Repeat.📍 Use it before meetings, between emails, or while waiting in line.

2. Think–Write–Share in Meetings

Pose a question. Give 90 seconds of silent writing. Then invite sharing.

This shift creates:✔️ More thoughtful contributions✔️ Less groupthink✔️ Space for quieter voices to rise

3. The Still Start

Begin your morning—or your meeting—with 2–3 minutes of silence.Let the room settle. Let the noise drop. Let presence lead.

You can:

Breathe together
Reflect on a quote
Just… be quiet

4. Nature Interruptions

Let nature be your pause button.

A glance out the window
A few steps on grass
A pinecone on your desk as a tactile cue

5. Silent Commutes or Coffee

Choose one time a week to do something without input:No music. No podcasts. No calls.

Just drive. Or walk. Or drink your coffee. In silence.Let your thoughts breathe.

6. Journal Prompts That Invite Stillness

What’s asking for my attention today?
Where am I trying to push through instead of pause?
What would stillness say, if it had a voice?

Keep these beside your bed, in your planner, or as a calendar reminder.

🗺️ How to Choose Your Tool

Stillness isn’t about perfection. It’s about practice.Start where the tension lives.

Feeling reactive? Try the 60-second breath.
In a loud room? Begin with silence.
Overwhelmed? Ask the journal what you already know.

Sometimes, the right pause at the right time is more powerful than hours of action.

💭 Reflection Invitation

Which of these tools feels like it’s already quietly at work in your life?
Where are you being invited to pause, but you keep pushing through?
What’s one place in your schedule where stillness could begin to grow roots?

🌊 Keep the Ripple Going

This blog is a companion to:🔗 [Stillness Is the Key: A Joy Practice in Three Frames]—a gentle reflection on what I learned from a lake, a deer, and my dog Harley.

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Let’s keep sharing the tools and practices that ground us.Reply, comment, or message me:🛠️ What’s your go-to stillness practice?🛠️ What do you want to try next?

I’d love to include your wisdom in a future newsletter or blog.Together, we can build a more present, grounded way to lead.