HOW MANY OF US TRULY HAVE PEACE OF MIND?

We live in a world that seems to push us in every direction but inward. From the time we’re young, we’re told how we should look, how we should speak, what we should drive, and even what kind of job we should aim for. The pressure begins early and continues throughout our lives. It becomes a silent expectation that success is about what we can show others, not what we feel within ourselves. This makes peace of mind something that many chase but rarely find. Because instead of chasing peace, they’re chasing approval.

If you sit back and observe the world around you, it’s not hard to see that most people are not truly living for themselves. They’re stuck in a routine, not one that feeds their soul, but one that impresses people who likely don’t even care. They go to work not for joy, but for status. They wear brands not for comfort, but to gain attention. They upgrade their cars, homes, and clothes, not because they need to, but because they want others to notice. They smile in public while crying behind closed doors. This is the life of a person disconnected from themselves.

But who taught us to live this way? And why do so many of us stay trapped in this endless race? The answer lies in a system that was designed to keep us chasing. It’s a system that defines our worth by numbers—salary, followers, possessions. It makes us believe that more is always better, and stillness is weakness. So, we continue running, not realizing that the finish line is moving. We never arrive, and as the years go by, we wonder why we feel so empty. That’s because peace of mind was never the goal of the system—it was distraction and dependency.

At some point in life, if we’re lucky, we pause. We take a deep breath and begin to question everything. Why am I doing this? Who am I doing this for? And do I really need any of it? This is where true living begins. For many, this moment of awakening comes later in life. Perhaps after losing someone, facing illness, or simply growing tired of the race. Some reach it in their late 30s, others in their 50s or 60s. And sadly, some never do. They remain trapped, wearing masks, chasing approval, and never learning what it means to just be.

It’s sad, but it’s also very real. The truth is, peace of mind doesn’t come with age alone—it comes with awareness. Age helps, but it’s not a guarantee. You can be 75 years old and still be consumed with what others think. You can be 25 and already free from the noise. It depends on when you begin to ask yourself honest questions. When you stop chasing and start reflecting. When you look in the mirror and finally recognize the person staring back at you—not the image you created for the world, but the soul you've been neglecting.

Let’s take a look at the world around us, and even the lives of people we may know. Think about the man who spends his entire life working two jobs to buy things he doesn't need. He’s tired, always stressed, and when he comes home, he barely has time for his own family. Yet, he continues, thinking that the next big purchase will finally bring him respect. Or the woman who dresses herself in the finest clothes, not for comfort, but for validation. She walks into a room hoping for compliments, but inside she’s unsure of who she really is without the labels.

Think about the young person who spends hours online, curating a life that isn’t real, smiling in photos while feeling lost inside. Or the older gentleman who still feels the need to prove something to people who barely notice him. Or the person who changes how they talk, where they go, and who they’re around, just to be accepted. These are all signs of a life lived for others. These are examples of people who are not at peace.

And peace of mind? It’s the opposite of that life. It’s not loud. It doesn’t need validation. It doesn't compete or compare. It’s quiet, but strong. It’s when you wake up in the morning and you don’t feel pressure. You don’t feel the need to prove anything. You feel okay being who you are, as you are, with what you have. You’re not ashamed of your past or afraid of your future. You live in the present moment, and you protect your energy. You understand that happiness isn’t about having more—it’s about needing less.

How do we get there? It starts by slowing down. Take time to be alone. Turn off the noise. Stop comparing your journey to others. Spend time with people who don’t care about your title, your house, or your car—but care about your peace. Learn to say no. Start doing more things that bring you peace and less things that bring you anxiety. Step away from toxic environments, even if they’re familiar. Let go of the need to impress people who wouldn’t show up if you needed help. Reconnect with your soul. It’s been waiting for you.

Another important step is to redefine what success means to you. Not what society told you it means. What do you value? What brings you joy? What makes you feel alive? Maybe it’s creating art. Maybe it’s walking in nature. Maybe it’s spending time with loved ones. Maybe it’s living simply, with less responsibility, and more time to think and breathe. Success should feel like freedom, not pressure. If you feel trapped by your own success, then it may not be success at all.

We must also recognize that peace isn’t found outside of us. It’s not in the money, the house, or the compliments. It’s in stillness. It’s in knowing yourself. It’s in understanding that life is short and that time is more valuable than any paycheck. When you find peace, it changes everything. You begin to walk differently. Speak differently. You protect your space and energy. You start to say no without guilt. You stop explaining yourself to people who aren’t really listening.

For many of us, peace comes too late. By the time we realize what matters most, decades have passed. We’ve given so much of our lives to people who never cared, to companies that never saw us, and to lifestyles that drained us. We look back and wonder, “What was I doing all those years?” And the answer is: surviving. But now is the time to start living. It’s not too late. You can begin now, no matter your age or stage.

Peace of mind is not a luxury. It’s a right. And it belongs to those who decide to reclaim it. You don’t need permission. You don’t need anyone’s approval. You just need the courage to let go of what no longer serves you. Life is too short to live for everyone else. It’s time to live for you.

If you're reading this and something inside you feels unsettled, that may be your wake-up call. If you’ve been chasing status, comparing yourself to others, or feeling like you’re always “on,” then it may be time to stop and reassess. Ask yourself: Do I feel at peace? Am I proud of who I am without my job title or possessions? If not, then maybe it’s time for a change. Not a drastic one, but a meaningful one. A quiet one. One that brings you closer to yourself.

The beauty of peace of mind is that once you find it, you never want to lose it. It becomes your compass. It guides your decisions, your relationships, your energy. You no longer entertain things that steal your joy. You no longer carry burdens that aren’t yours. You no longer stay in places that don’t honor your presence. You live with clarity. With intention. With freedom.

So, how many of us truly have peace of mind? Sadly, not many. But that can change. It starts with awareness. It continues with small steps. And it grows when we stop living for others and start living for ourselves. Let peace be your goal—not popularity, not applause, not possessions. Just peace. Because when the applause stops, when the crowd disappears, when the image fades, peace is all you have. And it’s all you ever really needed.