Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a non-judgmental, gentle, nurturing lens. Mindfulness involves acceptance of what is. This means paying attention to one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them — without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When one practices mindfulness, their thoughts tune into what they are sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.
Mindfulness Explained
let's talk mindfulness: unwrapping the real deal
Hey Onward Crew! 🌟 So, mindfulness—it’s everywhere, right? But what’s the real deal behind the hype? Let’s ditch the jargon and dive into the nitty-gritty of what this means. We’re stripping away the fancy words to discover how this stuff can actually make a difference in our everyday lives.
Living Mindfully, Not Just Another Trend
Okay, let’s be real. “Mindful” is plastered all over the place—from magazines to social media. As a therapist and yoga teacher, I get it. Those “BE MINDFUL” messages? They can stir up some feelings, huh? But here’s the thing: if you’re not nailing the perfect mindfulness pose you see in ads, that’s totally cool. There’s nothing wrong with you. Today, we’re getting down to what mindfulness is really about.
What’s Mindfulness, Really?
At its core, being mindful isn’t about sitting in a quiet room like a Zen master. It’s about being a chill observer without judging. Picture paying attention to right now without stressing if you’re doing it “right” or “wrong.” Sounds kind of freeing, doesn’t it?
Let’s get hands-on. Notice the sounds around you—the breeze, your breath, maybe a distant ball game. Are you wearing shoes? What device is your reading buddy? Any memories or feelings popping up? That’s mindfulness—putting together the bits of the present moment.
The Mindful Revolution: Why it Matters
In a world pushing us away from the present, mindfulness is like a rebel yell. It’s saying, “I’m here, right now.” Forget societal norms and ads telling us to be perfect. It’s all about embracing the messy, anti-racism, decolonization, and yeah, even anti-capitalism. It’s not just passive—it’s actively engaging with the world.
Distractions? Oh, they’re part of being human. But noticing them? Yep, that’s mindfulness too! It’s a dance with your own awareness—no judgment when you stumble. Resilience and acknowledgment of thoughts and feelings? Huge parts of the mindfulness game.
Mindfulness in Action: Your Way
Not feeling the whole sitting-still thing? No sweat. Mindful vibes work standing, lying down, walking—whatever floats your boat. Meditation is awesome, but it’s not the only way. For the curious, check out a class here.
Mindful Path to Your Goals: BFFs, Not Frenemies
Worried about future plans and goals? Chill. Being present actually helps you get there. Got a tough chat with Mom on your mind? Acknowledge it—mindfulness isn’t dodging real stuff; it’s facing it with a no-judgment zone.
Safety First: A Note on Mindfulness
Mindfulness not always feeling safe? That’s okay. Deep stuff might surface, and that’s a cue to take it slow or chat with a mental health pro. Your well-being is top priority, no exceptions.
Wrap-Up: Mindfulness in the Real World
To sum it up, we’ve ditched the fluff and uncovered what mindfulness truly looks like in our daily grind. It’s not about perfect poses or unattainable ideals—it’s about being real and embracing the now.
Got questions or want to dive deeper? Hit me up. Let’s keep this chat going as we navigate the wild ride of mindfulness together.
Sending good vibes and present moments,
Onward Therapy & Wellness Team
