The Power of Wise Peaceful Warriors

This week has been tough for many Wise Women.

Back in November, I wrote in The Political is Personal that the election of Donald Trump brought up deep trauma histories for many women. This week, that phenomenon erupted like a supernova, especially with the power shift becoming a reality.

Wise Women have been experiencing:

• Intermittent rage, panic, and despair (related and unrelated to national events)
• A chronic hum of dread and doom in their bodies
• Intense overwhelm and difficulty concentrating
• Catastrophic fears fueling constant distraction, busyness, or escape plans
• Heaviness making it hard to get out of bed
• Racing thoughts about how to regain control
• Disconnection in relationships
• Reverting to old patterns and numbing behaviors
• Complete avoidance of news and potential stressors

All of these are valid, trauma-related responses that deserve compassion and care.

I felt their collective powerlessness and helplessness and wondered how we can all navigate this uncertainty and move forward. 

When our minds and emotions get stuck in looping thoughts and feelings, moving our bodies can help free our minds. So, despite the brutally cold winter mornings, I forced myself onto my yoga mat. My mind echoed the struggles of the women I serve as I struggled to contort my body. When I transitioned from Warrior II to Peaceful Warrior, I found comfort in the phrase “peaceful warrior.” It reminded me of figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Eleanor Roosevelt, Maya Angelou, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Kasturba and Mahatma Gandhi. In those moments, I found my center by remembering those who came before us.

So, I posed this question to the women’s groups: “What does it mean to be a peaceful warrior in your life?”

As you might expect from Wise Women, their answers were rich, complex, and varied. But we all agreed on one thing: You can’t be a peaceful warrior unless you have peace within. This is the focus of the special edition of Inside Wise Women's Wisdom.

Wisdom, Tools, and Inspiration Free for All Wise Women

Explore This Edition:

• WW Empowering Quote & Images
• WW Experiential w/ Download
• Wise Women’s Wisdom: Power Within
• WW NEW Playlist!
• WW Binge-Worthy TV Recommendation

Directions:

Step 1: Download the affirmation worksheet.

Step 2: Turn toward your negative feelings by coloring the image while listening to the song “Everything is Awful” by The Decemberists. Let the music guide you through the process.

Step 3: Mindfully move your body: From Warrior II to Peaceful Warrior three times, using your breath as your guide. Repeat with the other leg forward.

Please adapt to your body's unique needs.

Pause in the final Peaceful Warrior pose to notice the power and peace in the movement.

Step 4: Set a timer for 5 minutes, and anywhere on your downloaded page, write your response to the prompt: "What does it mean to be a peaceful warrior in your life?"

Step 5: Reflect on your experience with this exercise as you read through the Wise Women’s Wisdom.

Cultivate Power & Peace Within

Rest, Regulate, & Recover

Staying stuck in the sympathetic state of fight/flight/freeze/fawn will only lead to burnout. It’s essential to prioritize rest, regulate your nervous system, and tend to your emotional, mental, and physical health and well-being. Healing your hurts and caring for your whole self is a lifelong journey with many layers, and it must be continuously nurtured.

"Rest, Recover, & Reflect" is our theme for January, so be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2, and consider joining us for our WW Insider Gathering next week.

Safeguard Your Energy

As every seasoned mama knows, you can’t react to every foolish thing your kid does. Remember, you’re human, which means you have limited time and energy.

Ask yourself if each response is worth your time and energy. For example, fighting with unstable, misogynistic trolls online isn’t going to change hearts and minds—and it will only drain your energy. Determine your highest priorities, set boundaries, and choose your battles carefully.

Be Mindful of Your Media Diet

When a woman arrives at a session feeling dysregulated by world events, the first question I ask is how much social media she's consuming. Excessive social media use is correlated to higher levels of anxiety and depression. Spending hours down rabbit holes scrolling images of the latest tragedy does nothing but create unnecessary distress and reinforce trauma reactions in the body.

Decide how much time you want to spend on media, and identify which types of content don’t overload your nervous system (e.g., video vs. reading vs. listening to the news, or local vs. national vs. international news). For example, some Wise Women who are sensitive to images or sensationalized news designate a trusted person to share the headlines on specific topics when they feel emotionally prepared to hear them.

Stop Judging Women (Especially Yourself!)

Many Wise Women fear being judged for not staying informed and engaged on every issue. And it’s true—someone will judge you for what you do or don’t do because women are constantly judged in our society.

Judgment is a natural part of human conditioning, but we can’t find peace within if we stay in that primal place of protection. Deepen your empathy, shift to curiosity, and remind yourself that your fellow Wise Woman is doing her best. This also applies to you!

Be Your Empowered Self

Notice what you’re already doing to raise your consciousness, to shape the next generation with your values, and to contribute to your community. Empowering yourself creates a positive ripple effect.

Celebrate when you get out of bed in the morning, when you’re honest with yourself, when you choose hope over fear, when you have a tough conversation, when you use your voice effectively, when you create, when you share your passions and talents with others, and when you connect with yourself and others through compassion and empathy. As one WW said this week, “Your existence is resistance enough.”

Enjoy the BRAND NEW Spotify Playlist for Wise Women!!

Peaceful Warrior - A Space for Wise Women

Remember to hit the + button to return to it anytime.

You are invited to add your own songs to our collective playlist!

An engaging show with a strong woman protagonist is my go-to way to calm my nervous system. Right now, I’m enjoying The Great (Hulu & Disney+), a wild and raunchy series about Catherine the Great overthrowing her husband to become empress of Russia. While it’s not historically accurate, it’s pure fun and sure to give you a laugh while imagining a brilliant Wise Woman ruling the land.

WW members comment below & connect in our community space!

This article is open to the public, and all parts may be shared freely to support and empower women.