Yes I know, if you are so busy that you think that this then maybe you are exactly the person who needs mindfulness. But really, honestly, who does? I had a look on good old Pinterest and there is a raft of beautiful looking pins about meditation, keeping a journal, getting up extra early, and stop watching television. That’s not exactly selling it to me folks, even though the journal idea did seem exciting, I do love an excuse for new stationary!!!
So many of us are trying to cram more and more into our lives, we are under pressure to be fill our children’s days with meaningful educational activities, and working longer, stressful days at work. We need to learn to switch off, but how do we fit that in. Is getting up at 5am really the answer? Or is sleep more important than deep breathing and being creative in your bullet journal.
Personally I think some of the things that are jumping on the mindfulness bandwagon are hypocritical. I now feel under pressure to create a beautiful bullet journal full of colour, and if I sleep past 7am I’ve failed at life. Surely this isn’t right!
I did find some more manageable ideas on Pinterest,
I guess you could do this one anywhere, just as you are waking up? Have a minute outside to yourself, or when you are in the bathroom pretending you are busy but actually hiding from the kids! 😉
And this is very doable, everyone has a shower, and as long as the kids aren’t banging on the door or worse, actually in the bathroom with you, this is definitely something you can find time to do.
So what else works for you? How do you manage to find the time to clear your mind of all the rubbish, to make things seem clear again without getting more stressed about it? Share your ideas in the comments, or in our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/438579613149850/
Having been introduced to mindfulness about 15 months ago and trying to include it in my daily life, I would say that you have to choose the path that suits you. I have spent the last 8 weeks attending weekly mindfulness sessions as part of my counselling.
Mindfulness to me is about being in the present, not letting thoughts of the past or future overtake me and send me into a downward swirl. It is also about acceptance of a situation and not judging whether it is good or bad. I agree about beautiful journals, but I love an a5 notepad and new pens!
My mind is most at peace when I walk and I do make a conscious effort to notice the wildlife around me, or even look at the different houses and see what has changed since last time.
So, I would conclude that if you need peace, a mindfulness minute a day could be a start but don’t beat yourself up over how you do it!