Mindfulness

Hello there! If you've found this blog, it must be because you're looking for a little peace and quiet—or what everyone else likes to call it—mindfulness. Look, I remember hearing those words years ago, and every time someone mentioned them, I would roll my eyes. Sitting down and crossing my legs immediately came to mind, and who has time for that? 

But a couple of years ago (exasperated by the pandemic), I noticed I was constantly stressed, and even the littlest thing would overwhelm me. To-do lists, chores, homework, tasks from work, and unfinished personal projects were constantly competing for my attention at the same time. And when you compound this with me being an emotional eater, you have a recipe for mind and body disaster. This was the moment I knew I needed to regain some balance, any kind, it seemed. 

This is when I started doing my homework on mindfulness, as reluctant as I was. So, If you're even just a little like me, hear me out. You don't have to do a bunch of research and read many articles like I did. You don't have to do an hour-long session or buy special mats or yoga pants. Starting small will help you with consistency in the long run. 

I'm also no mindfulness expert, but I've been practicing for a couple of years now and think there are some tricks to help you get started:

Start with a small mindfulness session: If the word session scares you, then just call it a moment. Don't look at your calendar to see when you can squeeze in mindfulness. It takes just 5-10 minutes to get started. It's that simple. First, try to find a comfy place to pause for a moment. You can do this in the morning while preparing your coffee or when the little one takes a mini-nap. Take a minute to focus on your breath, and listen to your body as you breathe in and out. Back then, one of my yoga instructors said it best: "Try listening to the sensation of your body filling your lungs with air". Let that help you stay grounded in the moment. Just listen to your body while you slowly breathe in and out. I know this probably seems minor initially, but when you compound these little moments, they eventually make a big difference. 

Don't Be Afraid of Flaws. Embrace Them: This applies mindfulness but also to almost anything in life - it doesn't have to be perfect. You don't have to achieve complete Zen (when your mind is clear of noise) every time you practice. You could be in the most beautiful and remote forest and still find the chirping sounds of birds distracting. It's really about being aware and in tune with your body and accepting of anything that happens in the present. So, don't feel disappointed in yourself if your mind wanders off to a pending deadline during meditation. Accept it for what it was and try finding the path back to the present. 

Try a little of everything: Remember, mindfulness isn't a one-size-fits-all. It's really about creating a routine that works for you. If you want to find a cozy corner in your home to help you meditate, great! You may find walking alone as peaceful and mindful, that works too! Feel free to embrace what works, especially when there's this idea out there that mindfulness can only be found sitting down, cross-legged with your eyes closed. 

I hope this helps you take the leap of faith into practicing mindfulness. Getting started is not as complicated or intimidating as it may seem. Give it a try; even if you find just a fraction of the mindfulness you're looking for, then that's a win.