How to Create a Calm Mind — Before Tomorrow Even Begins
How to Create a Calm Mind — Before Tomorrow Even Begins | Jo Renshaw Life Coach, Brighton
Calm Doesn’t Just Happen. You Create It
Most women tell me they want to “feel calmer.” But calm isn’t something that magically arrives when the to-do list is finally empty or the house is perfectly tidy. Calm is something we create, with our thoughts and our systems.
When I first started working in my current role in construction, I remember staring at the new processes thinking, I can’t do this. My brain offered every reason to panic. But then I remembered something I’d said to one of my clients that very week: You can do hard things. You’ve done them before.
And the moment I chose that thought, my nervous system softened. Calm wasn’t coming from the circumstance. It was coming from how I was thinking.
Before we dive in, here’s what you’ll learn in this blog: how to plan ahead so that calm becomes automatic, how to use simple evening practices to prime your mind for success, and how to build an identity that feels grounded and in control. By the end, you’ll see that calm isn’t luck or luxury. It’s a skill you can practise every single day.
The Secret to Feeling Calm? Decide Ahead of Time
Make decisions with your future self in mind
When you plan your time in advance, you remove the endless decision fatigue that drains your energy. Every Sunday evening, I look at the week ahead. I plan my coaching sessions, my part-time job, family time, and even white space. I make those decisions from the version of me who already feels calm, capable, and intentional.
Plan your week — and protect your peace
For years, weekends in our house used to feel chaotic. Last-minute plans, changing childcare schedules, and unexpected commitments left me constantly on edge.
Now, my husband and I plan three months of weekends in advance. We know when his son is with us, when we’re free to go away, and when we’ll rest. The result? Calm isn’t something I hope for. It’s baked into the calendar.
This is the power of deciding ahead of time: your calm becomes non-negotiable.
Programming Your Brain for Success (Even While You Sleep)
The subconscious listens to what you say before bed
Thomas Edison once said, “Never go to bed without giving your subconscious mind something to work on.” Before bed, I write down what I’ve accomplished that day — three to five small wins. Then I note what’s happening tomorrow. That’s it.
I don’t scroll or watch a tense series. I let my brain absorb a message of calm and clarity, and it works overnight.
The evening wins ritual
When you record what you’ve done well, you’re training your brain to look for progress, not problems. Over time, this builds your identity as someone who finishes things, trusts herself, and moves forward calmly.
It’s not magic, it’s neuroscience. The part of your brain called the Reticular Activating System (RAS) filters what you notice based on what you tell it matters. When you say, “I’m productive, calm, and capable,” your brain starts scanning for proof.
The Science of Calm: Your Brain Loves Clarity
Your brain doesn’t like open loops, unfinished tasks, unscheduled time, unmade decisions. Writing down what you’ve done and what’s coming next closes those loops and restores a sense of order. Think of it as clearing the mental desktop before you power down for the night.
Each time you take five minutes to close those loops, you’re sending a clear signal to your body: We’re safe. We know what’s happening. We’ve got this.
This small act gives your mind permission to rest. It’s why you sleep more deeply, wake up clearer, and start the next day feeling composed, focused, and ready to act with calm, deliberate energy.
A Practice for You Tonight
Before bed tonight, try this simple two-part ritual:
Write, pen to paper three to five wins from today. Big or small — it could be answering an email you’ve avoided or choosing rest instead of overworking.
Write three key intentions for tomorrow. You don’t need a long to-do list. Just anchor your day in what truly matters.
Then, put your phone away, in another room. Let your subconscious start working for you.
Calm Is a Decision, Not a Destination
The women I coach, professionals, mothers, leaders, often believe calm will arrive when everything else slows down. But the truth is, calm starts with one powerful decision: I lead my mind before the world leads me.
When you plan your week, your weekends, and your thoughts before you even sleep, you teach your brain that peace isn’t something you wait for — it’s something you practice.
Call to Action
💬 Join me for a free one-hour Discovery Call
On the call, I’ll take you through my unique Life Audit process.
Together, we’ll identify the five areas that will help you move from self-criticism and overwhelm to self-belief and calm capability.
By the end of the call, you’ll feel lighter, clearer, and ready to lead your life with calm confidence.
This blog is inspired by the work I do with my clients during sessions, and brought to you in partnership with AI.
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