How many thoughts did you have reading that first line? Did you think about your full mind – like what to eat for dinner? Is the laundry done? What time do you have to meet a friend? How much sleep you will get tonight? A work deadline? The million items on your to-do list?
What does it mean to be mindful to you? Is it just a new term we use to talk about and throw around? To me, mindfulness is a practice and individual to each person. There are just as many ways to be mindful as there are people in the world.
Mindfulness is defined as a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
The idea of mindfulness can be in a constant state of change for you, I know it is for me. It never has to mean the same time and be ever-evolving. I wanted to share my top 5 ideas of how I practice my mindfulness.
Building a routine and ‘trying’ to stick to it – Notice I said trying, some days I’m successful others not. But each day I try and acknowledge my efforts in the practice of my routines. These routines help provide my brain with fewer decisions to make.
Setting an intention for the day. Each day before I even leave bed, most of the time before I even open my eyes I take a few deep breaths and set my intention for the day. When I began the practice it was with a motto – “being the lights I wanted to see”. That has transformed into an idea of what I want to embody each day and each day that changes. On harder days my intention is to be present for just a few moments but on days that I’m feeling strong it can range from sharing my passion to crushing an exercise goal. Set the intention that works best for you.
People say meditation is necessary, I don’t disagree. But I do disagree that there is a wrong way to mediation. I was reluctant the begin mediation because I did not have 30 minutes each day, at the same time, to sit and do ‘nothing’. I soon learned that I could have an effective mediation in just a few minutes – 3 to be exact. But that number varies for everyone. I love days that I can spend 30 or more minutes meditating and cherish them, but that is not always my reality. But 3 minutes each morning (where I sit in my closet) and mediate provide just enough quiet time in my mind to help get things aligned.
Grounding or soaking up the sun. Finding a few moments in your day/week to enjoy nature helps me to be mindful. Sometimes I’m able to do it on a lunch break and feel the sun hitting my face, other times I’m able to do it on an afternoon walk with my dogs (barefoot in the grass). Each of these are helpful for me to just being right there in that moment.
Putting technology down and wandering. This can be a mental or physical wander. Putting the distraction of the phone down – even just for a few minutes and stare out the window, letting your mind wander. There does not have to be a destination just go. Even more fun, but a little more time-consuming, is to physically wander. Take a walk and just notice, the sights, the sounds, and the smell of where you are. I love to people watch and this is a great way for me to be able to see and interact with people without having to be too engaged.
Mindfulness is a practice, just like playing the piano. Some pieces need more practice and others will just come naturally to you. I encourage you to find the spaces where
you are able to be mindful. I would love for you to share some of your mindfulness practices, there is so much we can learn from each other.