WTF is Mindfulness?
When is the last time you paused?
Like really, paused?
As in, stopped what you were doing, took a breath, and felt the sensations around you? Noticed the noises in the background, noticed how your body felt sitting in your chair, and noticed the details of the task at hand?
Sometimes we can go hours or even days without being present. Our world is more fast-paced than ever, with distractions on ever turn. With our careers, bills, families, stress it feels impossible to slow down. Modern-day life has us accepting a baseline of chaos, frustration, and feeling totally overwhelmed.
But what happens when these mindless hours turn into mindless days, weeks, months, or even years? How do we make sure we don’t get so caught up living life, that we forget to actually be present for it?
Enter, mindfulness: a simple yet profound way to reconnect with the present moment.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is our ability to be fully present and to pay attention, on purpose in, a non-judgemental way. It involves paying deliberate attention to your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings. It’s waking up from the autopilot and reclaiming the only moment we have - this one. Mindfulness can help rediscover a sense of peace and enjoyment, fostering an awareness that can transform the way you experience the world.
The Benefits
Besides actually being present for your own damn life, cultivating mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress, enhance mental clarity, improve emotional well-being, strengthen relationships, increase happiness, heighten creativity, and even improve our physical health.
The even better news is that mindfulness essentially requires nothing. You don’t need an expensive course, to learn Sanskrit, buy a meditation cushion, or stay at a Shalah in the Himalayas (however those are all great, and please bring me to this mountain Shalah).
This all sounds great, right? You are telling me mindfulness can improve all of these aspects of my life, for free? There must be a catch! If mindfulness is so great, then why don’t we all do it?
Although we can start practicing mindfulness anytime and anywhere, mindfulness takes two things most Americans are in desperate need of: time and patience. Unfortunately, mindfulness practice is just that, a practice. It requires consistency, patience, and time.
On top of that, there are a lot of misconceptions about mindfulness (read about the biggest myths here). Perhaps you have tried before and it didn’t stick, or maybe it sounds a little too woo-woo, mystical, or spiritual for you.
However, in a world that constantly demands our attention and energy, mindfulness offers a sanctuary of tranquility and presence. There is something to the science and a reason why celebrities, politicians, CEOs, and world-class athletes attribute their success to it. It’s worth it, I promise.
Where Do I Start?
Start Small: Begin with short sessions of mindfulness practice. Set aside a few minutes each day to sit quietly and focus on your breath or bodily sensations. Gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable.
Mindful Breathing: The breath is kind of a big deal, and it’s one of the simplest techniques to start a mindfulness practice. Pay attention to each inhale and exhale, allowing your breath to anchor you to the present moment.
Body Scan: Lie down or sit comfortably and bring your attention to each part of your body, from your toes to your head. Notice any sensations without judgment.
Mindful Observation: Choose an object—a flower, a piece of fruit, or any everyday item. Observe it as if seeing it for the first time, exploring its texture, color, and shape.
Daily Activities: Infuse mindfulness into your routine activities. Whether it's eating, walking, or even washing dishes, engage fully in the experience, using all your senses. Find 50 more examples here of daily activities and 10 more tips on starting a practice here.
As you embrace mindfulness, we hope you'll find that the world becomes more vibrant, your heart more open, and your life more fulfilling. We hope start noticing the simple joys that often go unnoticed – the warmth of the sun on your skin, the taste of your favorite meal, the laughter shared with a loved one. These moments of gratitude blossom from your newfound ability to be fully present.
Remember, mindfulness is a journey, not a destination. Here at Words for Monday, we hope to share the practice of mindfulness in a fun, digestible, and easy-to-apply way so you can start being present in your own life. Right. Now.
Be sure to check out our other blog posts and courses for more.
See what happens when you start paying attention.
-WFM
