It’s very challenging to live in today’s fast-paced and ultra-connected world. The amount of information we’re exposed to daily is staggering. We’re constantly overwhelmed with endless work and family commitments, appointments, and obligations, not to mention all the political and socioeconomic pressures we’re regularly exposed to.
With our attention and energy being pulled in so many directions, it’s no surprise that we’re chronically stressed, drained, and depleted.
Drowning in this constant barrage of noise and mental overwhelm, we’ve become more habitual, scattered, and reactive, and less thoughtful, intentional, and present. Indeed, we’re more distracted, disconnected, and anxious than ever before.
The Mindfulness Revolution
To counteract the overwhelming pressures of everyday life, and shift from living life on “autopilot” to living more consciously, we need mindfulness more than ever before.
To be mindful means to be conscious and aware in the moment. Anchored in our breath and the body, we slow down our automatic thoughts and reactions, and instead track what is happening, breath by breath— without judgment, resistance, or getting attached.
Mindfulness is a practice of release. Instead of getting stuck in our default state of mind-wandering, or fixating on thoughts and emotions, we simply observe our internal experiences with curiosity and openness watching them come and go. Letting go and returning back to the breath and the present moment is the core of mindfulness practice.
Through practice, we grow our ability to focus, reconnect with our body, become less reactive, gain clarity and perspective, and begin to understand ourselves and each other better. As our awareness grows, we become more attentive to what we need and in charge of our actions. We stop resisting and learn to flow with life.
Life unfolds in the present. Mindfulness is our tool against living distracted, disconnected, and fragmented. Instead of rehashing the past, we learn from and release it. Instead of worrying about the future, we savor the moment and allow the future to unfold, trusting we can handle whatever comes. Grounded in the present moment, we step into our life, fully embracing what is.
Mindfulness Is a Daily Practice
Mindful people are happier, healthier, more connected, emphatic, secure, and enjoy better relationships. They are less stressed and reactive, and instead experience more inner peace. The good news is that you can become mindful at any moment just by paying attention to your immediate experience.
Mindfulness practice begins with an awareness of the breath and the body. We slow down and reconnect with our senses, fully embracing each moment as it happens, with all the sounds, textures, smells, and colors. This gets us out of our head—and our habitual attachment to thoughts, getting entangled in stories, and lost in rumination—and into the body. We learn to snap out of autopilot and become more intentional and present instead.
Mindfulness means living less in your head and more in your body.
Practice being mindful throughout the day. From time to time, take a few minutes to be still and focus on your breath. Become aware of your bodily sensations, and what is happening in that moment. Notice where you are holding tension and breathe into those parts. Consciously release any tightness with each out-breath.
Pay attention to how it feels in the body when certain thoughts come up. Practice noticing when you’re getting hijacked by your stories and bring yourself back to the present moment by tuning into your breath and your senses. Sit down for a brief mindfulness meditation practice if you can.
Remember, mindfulness asks us that we don’t judge our experience, only observe it and then let go. The point is to notice your habitual thoughts, feelings, reactions, and distractions, then return to your breath without beating ourselves up for getting lost.
Mindfulness is a practice of non-attachment. The more you practice, the easier it will get.
Are You Ready To Reclaim Your Power?
If you are tired of playing roles, and feeling stuck, exhausted, and unfulfilled, I invite you on a homecoming journey with me.
This is a healing journey of reclaiming your worth, dropping what doesn’t serve you, and fully and authentically stepping into your power!
The Art of Homecoming is available here.
Asia
I’ve been journaling for years and it has been a core practice that lead to my growth. Transformation & healing means growing up and out of your old patterns and beliefs. Self-reflection is the only way to get there – without that awareness nothing changes because our automatic responses are literally programmed into our brains, and we will act on autopilot. Only self-discovery can offer a chance to see, then change our old, unproductive, and often self-defeating ways. Great post!