Quieting the Noise: Learning to Live from the Inside Out

Whenever I read or learn something new about spirituality and being present, it feels like I’ve just discovered a secret code to life—some kind of hack I should’ve known all along. And every time, I find myself wondering: Why didn’t I know this sooner? How different would my past experiences have been if I had known the tools already living within me?

But even that thought—dwelling on the past—is a distraction from the present. And just like that, I started to understand why so many people never even attempt this work. It’s not because they don’t care. It’s because staying present in this world is hard.

Let’s be real—quieting the mind (which, by the way, you are not your thoughts) is incredibly difficult in this era of constant stimulation. We live in a world of nonstop notifications, crowded cities, buzzing traffic, and the endless scroll of social media. If your apartment sits in the middle of a city like mine, you may not even remember what silence feels like. And let’s not even get started on the weight of everyday responsibilities. These days, just getting through a to-do list can feel like preparing for battle.

But deep down, I know this isn’t what life is meant to be. I don’t believe we were brought here—given consciousness and the ability to feel—to live in stress, exhaustion, and emotional survival mode. That doesn’t add up. The alternative—peace, presence, alignment—makes a lot more sense. It feels right.

So how do we get there?

Honestly? I’m still learning. And I probably always will be. I believe spirituality and personal growth are lifelong journeys. But I have picked up tools along the way that have helped me reconnect with myself and live a more mindful, intentional life. Here are a few:

1. Meditation

It’s a classic for a reason. Meditation has transformed the way I relate to my thoughts. Many people fear meditation because they can’t imagine sitting in silence without the mental noise they’ve relied on for comfort. We create those thoughts for a sense of false security—but beneath all of it is something real: your true self. The part of you that simply sees—the observer, or the Seer.

This Seer is calm, grounded, and steady. The more time you spend connected to it, the more you realize that everything else—every fear, every spiral, every distraction—is just noise. With meditation, you start to understand what it means to be instead of always do.

2. Yoga

Yoga is the bridge between mind, body, and spirit—and it’s been that way for over 5,000 years. That’s not a coincidence. This practice invites you into the present moment through breath, movement, and mindfulness. It grounds you, softens you, and reconnects you to your body—something we often ignore in our fast-paced lives. Whether it’s a full sequence or a few stretches with intentional breathing, yoga makes presence feel accessible again.

3. Reading Spiritual Books

This post, in fact, was inspired by The Untethered Soul—a book that has been reshaping how I think and feel. My journey into spirituality really began when I read The Power of Now. That book cracked something open in me. Since then, I’ve explored countless others that have each added depth and language to my experiences. They’ve helped me name what I feel when I meditate or when I glimpse my Seer.

If you’re feeling unsure or skeptical about presence or spirituality, books can be the bridge between confusion and clarity. They give you context. They remind you of your power.

Of course, these are just a few tools—and they aren’t “quick fixes.” This work takes commitment, patience, and a willingness to unlearn everything you’ve been conditioned to believe. We’ve all trained our minds to protect us from discomfort—whether that’s fear, trauma, or the unknown. But when we start doing the deeper work, we slowly uncover what’s always been underneath: peace, truth, and self-trust.

Once you experience even a glimpse of what it’s like to live with presence and freedom, there’s no going back. You can’t unknow it. You start to see that presence is the point. Everything else is noise. And there's no reason to live in fear or survive in stress when you can root into the peace of who you truly are.