There’s plenty going on in the world right now that’s making people feel anxious, overwhelmed, and just downright stressed. I’ve had so many people say to me, Mags, “these are scary times. My anxiety is through the roof. I’m struggling to deal with everything happening in the world.”

We’re seeing natural disasters, political upheaval, wars—all sorts of chaos. And because we’re empathetic beings, we feel it. But here’s the thing: how well you manage this depends on your boundaries. And let’s face it, most people’s boundaries are about as solid as a wet paper bag. I used to be the same, but once I nailed my boundaries, everything changed.

So, let’s talk about three key things you can do right now to calm your mind and take back control.

The LeadingME® Ladder of Leadership

The LeadingME® Ladder of Leadership is all about managing your ego and finding balance. In the middle of the ladder, we have the space where you’re leading yourself—where you’re confident, centred, and response-able. That’s where you want to be.

But if you’re not there, you’re either trying to control everything (big ego) or feeling completely powerless (victim mode). Neither of those places is good for you.

The trick? Get out of the movie. When you’re in the thick of it, reacting to everything, you’re in the movie. You need to step back and become the observer. That way, you can choose your response instead of being dragged around by your emotions.

If you find yourself caught up in fear, judgement, or overwhelm, use the 4R’s Release Model® or the 3 Keys to Eliminate Your Shite™. These tools help you get back into that balanced LeadingME® space where you’re in control of yourself and your reactions.

Take Control with Breath Work

Your breath is your greatest tool. It’s the one thing that’s with you from the moment you enter this world until the moment you leave it. And yet, most people don’t use it properly.

Breathwork is a simple but powerful way to reset your nervous system. When anxiety and stress kick in, your breathing changes—usually becoming shallow and fast. But when you control your breath, you control your state.

Try yogic belly breathing:

1. Get into a relaxed position place your hand on your heart and bring your attention to your breath
2. Inhale deeply through your nose, expanding your belly.
3. Exhale slowly through your mouth, for longer than you inhaled.
4. At the bottom of that exhale Hold your breath for a few seconds. 
5. Repeat for 5/10 breaths or until you feel calm and relaxed.

(You can see a demonstration on the YouTube Video here)

Doing this regularly will help you stay calm, focused, and in control. If you need guidance, check out the Breathing App—it’s a great tool to help you regulate your breathing.

Calm Your Nerves with Meditation

I used to make excuses for why I couldn’t meditate—my mind is too busy, I don’t have time. Sound familiar? But here’s the truth: meditation isn’t about trying to stop your thoughts. It’s about not letting them control you.

Start with guided meditations. There are loads available on YouTube, Spotify, and various apps. Just search for relaxation guided meditation and follow along.

ONLY if you are ready and have been meditating for a while and feel the need to take it up a notch, try a Vipassana retreat—ten days of silent meditation. It’s intense but life-changing. That’s where LeadingME® was truly born for me. But you don’t need to go that far—just start with five minutes a day.

And remember, it’s not about getting it perfect. It’s like any other skill we need to learn by showing up for yourself and practising.

Fear Less, Shine More

Change is happening, and whether it feels chaotic or promising, it’s moving us forward. Sometimes, the old structures need to fall before we can truly build something new. And while that may look messy, it’s in these moments that we have a choice—be pulled into the fear or step into our own power, wisdom and knowing. Stepping into LOVE 

You have the power to choose how you move forward. And right now, choosing yourself is more important than ever. And if you’re ready for more support, come join us in the Dare to Shine Your Brilliance Community — we’d love to have you! One of the powerful tools we use is Decision Making Made Easy, designed to help you gain clarity by working through your outcomes, vision, values, and purpose. When you align with your values, setting boundaries and making strong decisions becomes second nature.

As always,

Stay True, Stay You
And Keep Bringing Out Your Brilliance!