Mindfulness

In the whirlwind we call life, it’s crucial to hit pause now and then. We’re always on the move—so much I often joke the year zooms by faster than a bullet train. I’m the type who lives life in the fast lane, always in high gear. Burn bright, burn fast. Taking things slow isn’t exactly my forte but it’s definitely got its downsides. Topping that list is total burnout. Without proper breaks to recharge both body and soul, you can kiss recovery and focus goodbye.

Lately, though, I’ve pivoted my attention to what I’m putting into my body, because let’s face it—we are what we eat. While nailing down nutrition is one thing, feeding your soul is a whole other conversation. Love is a game-changer here. Pouring your heart and soul into what you love is soul food for anyone. When I need a reset, I love to ground myself with a simple yoga flow or a mindful meditation on those lazy mornings.

What is Mindfulness?

But hey, life’s hectic and not everyone has a spare 30 minutes for yoga or quality time with loved ones every single day. That’s where mindfulness steps in for me. It’s something I can practice anytime, anywhere—no matter how crammed the schedule is. It’s about truly being there in the moment, with every little task or interaction, savoring the now. It’s a game-changer. And that’s something worth remembering, especially when time is a luxury.

So, what is mindfulness? A widely accepted definition of mindfulness is the “…a form of nonjudgmental, purposeful attention in the present moment“. Simply put mindfulness is full engagement in the moment. Being present in the now. You’re just totally dialed into the present, not stressing over the past or stressing out about the future. It’s an old-school idea that’s been around for ages. Buddhism emphasizes mindfulness and meditation as an important factor in the Eight-fold path. The tradition of Yoga is a form of mindfulness. It’s not just an Eastern thing – Taoism in China and Stoicism in Greece emphasized on self-awareness, acceptance of the present moment and living in harmony with nature and oneself.

A fragmented life

The problem of lacking mindfulness really boils down to our inability to anchor ourselves in the immediacy of ‘now.’ It’s like we’re constantly skipping ahead on the track of life, eager to get to the next moment, erroneously believing that somehow the next moment will be better than this one. The high-speed chase of what’s next has us juggling too many balls in the air; our mantra has morphed into ‘more is better,’ forgetting the age-old wisdom of less can be so much more.

Every ping from our phones and every tab open on our browsers has our attention fragmented, bit by bit. Torn between past regrets and future aspirations, our minds are seldom here, in the present moment. And as the bells and whistles of our digital life grow louder, the quiet contentment that once was seems quieter now. We’ve traded a slice of our mental stillness for a larger piece of the technological pie—only to wonder if that trade-off was worth it.

Benefits of Mindfulness

Despite the fact we can’t hit rewind on modern life’s fast-forward button, mindfulness is a hack that can amp up the quality of our lives. Because when you break it down, life’s basically a playlist of moments. Here are some ways that bringing mindfulness into my routine has been a game-changer.

• Nutrition – By eating mindfully, I’m aware of the feeling of satiety. I eat when I’m hungry and stop when I’m full.
• Connections – When it comes to time, more doesn’t always mean better. Putting away all distractions just for 5 minutes while I listen to my daughter talk about her day helps us bond with each other.
• Fitness – Due to a recent minor injury I was forced to be more aware of which muscles to engage and which ones to ease off on. This has made me more mindful of activating the right muscle groups while strength training.
• Emotional and mental regulation – I like to be intentional with where and who I invest my energy in. A daily practice helps me strengthen my mindfulness muscle so that I can exercise more control over where my attention goes.
• Sleep – Focusing on deep and slow breathing at bedtime helps me fall asleep quicker and sleep more soundly.
• Experiences – I love learning about different cultures. Immersing myself in my local environment on a vacation makes it more enriching and memorable.

Cultivating Mindfulness

Here are some of my tried and tested tips to cultivate mindfulness into your life:

• Establish a regular mindfulness practice to anchor yourself in the present moment. A 5-minute seated meditation practice, done consistently over a period of time can bring significant improvement in our ability to stay engaged in the present moment for longer. Insight Timer — #1 Free Meditation App is my go-to app for a quick mindfulness breathing practice.
• Practicing Single-tasking – Despite being contradictory to my blog name, I’m a big fan of focusing on one activity at a time. For example, when I eat a meal, I pay full attention to the taste, texture, and sensation of each bite, rather than eating while checking emails or watching TV. Using a time blocking daily schedule helps me zone into the one task at hand. Try designing yours with this – Daily Time Blocking Schedule | Free Printable Download (moritzfinedesigns.com)
• Reduce Technological distractions – Set some boundaries for device usage by designating tech-free time & spaces. Aim to replace the temptation to reach for your phone by 1 to 5-minute-deep breathing session. in my experience, it’s the best way to bring your heart rate down and reset your focus. Journaling is another way to be productive while being off the grid.
• Avoid the ‘Busyness’ Culture – I’m often guilty of this one! However, I’ve come to realize that setting realistic expectations and giving myself rest and recovery time helps immensely with performance and output. It’s quality over quantity!
• Practice ‘Mindful moments‘ – Engaging the mind and senses fully in mundane daily tasks is a great way to introduce mindfulness into your day. Whenever you catch yourself dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, strive to bring conscious awareness to the task at hand by noticing the sights, sounds, smell, textures, temperature etc. around you. There’s magic to be found in every moment! Remember to start small and build on these habits slowly. For a start the 5-minute rule. read more here – How to Use the 5-Minute Rule to Get Your Work Done – Wild Rose Learning (learnwithwrl.com)

I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Whether lost in the pages of an enchanting novel or feeling a gentle breeze against your skin, the transformative influence of mindfulness is unmistakable. I’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections on mindfulness. Leave me a comment or connect with me in Instagram. Wishing you wonderful week ahead!