“Not Really a Mindfulness Person”
I’m not going to sugarcoat it, the recommendation of mindfulness used to sort of piss me off. Like, actually. Can you imagine getting irked by something so calm? But here’s the deal: I used to get real frustrated, as an anxious person, when someone suggested that I try mindfulness. In my mind, I would think, “okay yeah that’s all fine and great, but I’m not really a *mindfulness* person.” I used to associate it with wooden chimes and patchouli oils and asserted that I was neither tranquil nor stretchy enough to practice mindfulness. Note to self, mindfulness has nothing to do with limberness.
Don’t knock it till you try it
Then, life reached a certain level of complicated (read: toxic stress levels,) and I had to face the music that it was mindfulness o’clock. Which is when I realized that two things:
- Me being reluctant to “slow down and be mindful” was the ULTIMATE red flag that I should give it a whirl
- Mindfulness is not, actually, about lighting candles and counting the bites of a plum, but rather a very straightforward and VERY beneficial exercise to keep every single human being on this planet grounded and connected to the present.
The 411
The goal of mindfulness is not enlightenment. Mindfulness is a “nonjudgemental observance of the present moment.” Literally that, and only that. Bringing yourself into the present moment, and observing what is happening. If that’s not healthy, I don’t know what is. Because here’s the sitch: the alternative is being dragged to the past or preoccupied with a future that hasn’t even unfolded yet. Neither of those alternatives seem that peachy, do they? Mindfulness is challenging because we do spend so much of our waking hours in the past or future. But the payoffs of practicing mindfulness as often as possible are extraordinarily beneficial, in very very subtle ways.
When I get a little to “past-y” or “future-y” to even enjoy (or engage with) what’s in front of me, the phrase — and truth– that I use to pull myself back is: “Opportunity only exists in the present”
A little help
Since we tend to be rather thinky (read: analytical and sophisticated-thinking) creatures, sometimes Mindfulness doesn’t just come like that. One tool that I’ve found to be very, very useful is mindfulness meditation. It’s kind of gives you a little nudge back into centeredness.
Below are some of my favorite tracks:
Amazing 5 Minute Morning Breathing Routine (Best Morning Routine)
10 min Relaxation Guided Meditation/End of Day Relaxation or For Quick Stress Relief/Water Sounds
Stone Flake on a Lake – Wise Mind Meditation
5-Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere
RZA Explorations – This one is a personal favorite, because it’s produced and created by RZA from WuTang Clan, and presents a massively refreshing variety from the “standard” meditation tracks you may be accustomed to encountering
“Bonus Track” from Yours Truly
One final mindfulness activity you can try if you feel like your connection with the present moment is a little iffy: it’s called 54321, and can be done absolutely anywhere:
Pause, and then notice:
5 things you can see
4 things you can hear
3 things you can feel
2 things you can smell
1 thing you can taste
Happy mindfulness-exploration, all!