The Anchor List
Life has a way of tossing us around. One moment we’re flowing with ease, and the next we’re caught in the storm—pulled by emotions, overwhelmed by thoughts, or shaken by external events.
In those moments, it’s easy to forget what’s true—the things that actually ground us, support us, and remind us that we’re okay.
That’s where the Anchor List comes in.
By identifying and claiming the stabilizing facts of your life, you create a set of emotional and spiritual “anchors” you can return to when the waters get rough.
This practice isn’t about avoiding the storm. It’s about remembering you have a ship—and you know how to steer and manage it.
Step 1: Gratitude
Start by listing what you’re grateful for. This is a classic practice, but here it serves a deeper purpose: it shifts your state of consciousness into a more open, receptive, grounded place.
You can write this list on paper, speak it aloud, or use the Anchor List worksheet. List as many as you want—aim for at least 20–25.
No gratitude is too small. “I have a bed to sleep in” is as powerful as “I have loving relationships.” Focus on what feels real right now.
Step 2: Choose Your Anchors
From your gratitude list, choose around 10 items that not only bring gratitude, but also make you feel safe, supported, and grounded. These are your anchors—the facts of your current life that help stabilize you. You’re not affirming ideal future states, but claiming what is true now.
Examples of anchors:
• I have stable income.
• I meditate most mornings.
• I live near people who love me.
• I have access to nature.
• I get to create every weekend.
• I have a consistent support system.
Your Anchor List becomes a spiritual checkpoint. Something you can return to in times of overwhelm and say, “Right. These things are still true. I am safe here.”
A Note on Authority & Control
This practice isn’t about controlling your life or denying your emotions. It’s about choosing where to place your awareness—reclaiming your sense of inner authority in partnership with a higher truth.
In moments of chaos, the mind will grasp for control. The Anchor List gently redirects that grasping into grounded presence. It reminds you of the tools, truths, and supports that are already here.
Final Thoughts
You can update your Anchor List anytime. It’s not rigid. These anchors are yours to set—and yours to release when it’s time to steer forward again.
Use this practice when you feel adrift. Use it when you’re not sure what’s real. Use it simply as a way to come home to yourself.
Because ultimately, peace isn’t in the past or the future. Peace is here, now—anchored in the truth of the present moment.
