Personal Peace Above All Else

Oh, honey, don't mind me. I’m just over here blocking out the noise—because, let’s face it, there’s always some kind of nonsense happening around us, right? Narcissists, drama queens, self-absorbed "me-me-me" folks, and just plain toxic energy. All those voices trying to control the narrative, make everything about them, or suck the life out of you. Yeah, no thanks. I'm busy indulging in what really makes me happy. My peace is priceless, and I’ll be damned if I let anyone take that from me.

Listen, if you’ve been around for a few decades (or even just a few years—honestly, life feels like it ages us all faster), you start to realize that peace isn’t just a luxury. It’s essential. In a world where everyone has an opinion, a criticism, or a complaint, there’s nothing more precious than being able to tune out the noise and do what makes you feel good. And by “feel good,” I don’t mean scrolling through Instagram until you’ve lost three hours of your life, comparing yourself to influencers who’ve “mastered the art of the perfect life.” I mean the real stuff—the things that fill your soul with joy, the things that make you smile for no reason at all.

Now, I’m not going to lie: blocking out the narcissistic noise isn’t always easy. People have a way of getting into your head and making you question your worth, your decisions, and everything in between. They’re always right, aren’t they? They never have to apologize, and they sure as hell won’t ever admit they’re wrong. Sound familiar? It's exhausting, and quite frankly, I don’t have the energy for it anymore. My peace is too precious, and I’m done letting someone else’s drama disrupt my flow.

But here's the truth—narcissists don’t get to win. I’m not giving them that power. It's like trying to make a perfectly good soup and letting someone come along and mess it up with random ingredients. Nope. Not on my watch. When I wake up, it’s my day, my energy, and my space. I’ve learned the hard way that if I don’t guard my peace like a mother lion watching over her cubs, I’ll end up running on fumes, feeling drained, and questioning why I even bothered. So, I've made a choice: block it out.

And let’s be honest here for a minute: some people are just flat-out toxic. You know the type—the ones who always make everything about them, the ones who somehow find a way to turn even the happiest moments into a pity party. Those are the people who suck your energy dry faster than a phone with 1% left. They want to be heard, they want to be validated, and they’ll do anything to ensure that your focus is on them—at the cost of your well-being. Well, newsflash: I’m no longer a free therapist, a sounding board, or a punching bag for someone else’s unresolved issues.

So, what’s my secret weapon? Simple: focus on what actually brings me peace. And that’s different for everyone. For some, it’s a hot cup of coffee and a good book in the morning. For others, it’s a peaceful walk through the park, headphones in, world out. Maybe it’s a day of binge-watching your favorite Netflix show with zero judgment. Maybe it’s time spent in nature, away from the constant hum of social media and work emails. Whatever it is, it’s yours. You don’t need permission from anyone to protect your peace. You don’t need to apologize for wanting a life that’s calm, centered, and filled with joy.

For me, it’s the simple things. I find peace in cooking my favorite meals, in taking a long walk, or even in getting lost in music. There’s something about a song that resonates with you that just feels like a warm hug from the inside out. Sometimes, I retreat to my own little world—no judgment, no expectations, just pure peace. And let me tell you, the moment you realize you don’t need to explain yourself to anyone, you’ll feel lighter than you’ve ever felt before.

Here’s the kicker: the narcissists? They’ll keep talking, and talking, and talking, trying to draw you back into their web of chaos. They’ll keep making everything about them, attempting to make you feel guilty or responsible for their unhappiness. But here’s what they don’t know: I’m over here living my best life, protected from their nonsense, and that, my friend, is the ultimate power move.

People will try to tell you that you’re being selfish for prioritizing your peace. They’ll label you as “cold” or “unemotional,” like those are bad things. But honestly, I’m not in the business of people-pleasing anymore. If it doesn’t align with my values, if it doesn’t bring me joy or peace, I’m not making space for it. And here’s the thing: you don’t have to either. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for choosing yourself, for choosing peace, for choosing happiness. I promise you, the right people will understand. They’ll support it. And if they don’t? Well, then it’s their problem, not yours.

Let’s get real here for a second: we’ve all been there. We’ve all tried to please people who just couldn’t be pleased. We’ve all tried to reason with the unreasonable, give compassion to the uncompassionate. But here’s the thing I’ve learned: you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re constantly feeding into someone else’s drama, there’s nothing left for you. Your energy will be drained, and your peace will be compromised. And let’s face it—if you’re the one doing all the emotional labor, it’s time to cut that nonsense out.

I’ve also learned something important—peace doesn’t have to be loud. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or even super obvious. Sometimes, peace is just being in your own space, content with who you are, without anyone else’s input or interference. Peace is a luxury, but it’s one we all deserve. I’m done wasting time on people who don’t understand that. The narcissists can keep yelling into the void, but I’m here, taking care of myself and my peace. And let’s be honest: my peace is the best thing I’ve got going.

At the end of the day, we all need to realize something: our peace is a non-negotiable. Don’t let anyone, especially those who thrive on drama, steal it from you. Block out the noise, choose joy, and protect your space at all costs. Because, let’s face it, your peace is priceless.

Find my writings here: https://medium.com/@daniellejerace