This article was inspired by a beautiful interview I came across on Instagram with Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat, Pray, Love. I was deeply moved by the way she spoke about the most peaceful people she’s ever met—those who have learned to let all parts of themselves coexist without contradiction.
Gilbert explains that peace doesn’t come from eliminating or controlling our emotions, but from creating inner space—a kind of internal room where we can sit with whatever arises. This space is also a kind of silence, one that allows us to hear the voice within, to listen to what it wants to tell us without judgment or rush.
In this inner room, nothing is excluded. There’s no segregation between what we call “good” or “bad” emotions. Everyone has a seat at the table—fear, dignity, shame, joy, pride, the petty and the glorious parts of ourselves. No one is kicked out.
I love Gilbert’s metaphor because it reminds me of the characters in the movie Inside Out. Each emotion plays a vital role in our inner ecosystem. Peace comes not from letting one take over, but from allowing them to coexist in balance.
When fear speaks, for example, it might be alerting us to a potential danger. We can listen to it, thank it for its contribution, and then gently evaluate whether the danger is real or imagined. The same goes for every other part—anger, sadness, joy, and shame. They each carry wisdom when we’re willing to listen.
It’s a practice of mothering yourself—speaking with compassion to each part, reassuring them that they are seen and heard, and that together they make you whole.
This process can be beautifully supported through coaching. A skilled coach helps you create that inner space by listening deeply and asking the right questions. Through conversation and reflection, you can begin to bring clarity and gentle order to your inner world—allowing all your inner voices to sit together in peace, each understood, each respected.
Creating this space within is not about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s about learning to live in harmony with your full self, exactly as you are.
If this reflection resonates with you and you feel ready to explore your own inner space with guidance and compassion, I invite you to visit my Transformational Life Coaching page to learn how we can walk this journey together.