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Mindfulness - in every day life.

Donna Cahill

Updated: Apr 2, 2020



Have you been telling yourself that you can’t get into that mindfulness stuff, that you can’t meditate, “I’ve tried and it didn’t work”, “I have anxiety and I can’t switch my mind off” “ it doesn’t work for me”.

I get it. I hear you! I was the same once upon a time. I thought I had to be seated somewhere on a braided floor cushion with nag champa burning in the background to quieten my mind.

But guess what! You have most likely been practising mindfulness via activities like swimming, surfing, reading, gardening and crafting this whole time and never knew you had guru glitter in you!

You see, when you are engrossed in an activity your attention is fully focused on ‘the now’ (that’s why your therapist wants you to pick up a hobby- seriously, we LOVE when you have an outlet just for your soul!). Being in ‘the now’ allows for a neurological break from all the B.S your mind puts you through. There’s a ton of fabulous reading out there on the benefits of being in the now, or some term it ‘fully present’, which outline why it is an important state of mind to be in regularly.


Recommendation

*Can I suggest Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now if you are interested in exploring this concept on a deeper level.


But if going deep is not where you want to be right now, let me then suggest practising being present (mindfulness) via arty crafty farty stuff. Over the coming weeks and months to help you take a break from the current global crisis, and to help you find your inner guru glitter (trust me, it’s in there), can I ask that you take some time to find a project that is creative – I have some suggestions at the bottom of the page.


I ask that you set up a space to get your creative vibes on - indoors, outdoors, on the floor, on the kitchen table, out on the lawn, out in the shed, wherever feels right.

Set a time aside to devote to the project (this may mean a daily allocation of time depending on the project).

Have your tools and equipment set up, make sure you can just be.

And, burn some of that nag champa while you’re doing it. It helps.

Engage in your project fully. Peacefully. Be right there with the project. It is not a means to an end. Remind yourself you are not in a hurry if your mind starts to wander to the future, and gently, with no judgement, pull your mind out of the past if it tries to take you back there. There is only now. Focus your attention on the activity and give it your fullest attention.


Being present is being mindful.


If you are a regular at creative projects and/or have a hobby that demands your fullest attention you are mostly likely picking up what I’m putting down. Perhaps you recognise the similarity between being focused and being mindful? It’s the beginning phase of mindfulness for newbies and it shouldn’t be discounted. You are already partway there!


If you are new to the idea of mindfulness because you haven’t indulged into a personal creative interest, then perhaps you can connect this concept to everyday tasks you do that you fully engage with?


I do the dishes mindfully. It’s one of the most peaceful moments of my day. I can hear the bubbles of the dish liquid pop and I notice the difference in sound of the cutlery to the crockery. It’s very calming. When our thoughts and our feelings are aligned with what we are doing, and we intentionally become aware of the present, we are being mindful. No braided floor cushions needed.

If you are rocking the housework, fully in the moment, if you’re out in the shed re-threading the whipper sniper fully in the moment (this is next level mindfulness by the way), that means you are not worrying about the future and you’re not renumerating about the past: you are in the now!

If this resonates with you, it’s worth acknowledging the amazing moments throughout your day when you are fully present. Give yourself a pat on the back for the guru glitter within that has gone unnoticed up until now.


Bottom line is, being present is an investment in your mental health that has a knock-on effect on your overall health. Try advancing your awareness of your awareness. Try measuring your overall well being pre-creative project and compare it to the measurement post-creative project. Can you measure an improvement?

Take that mindful break if you can, where you can and as often as you can. These are extremely difficult times, filled with change, loss, uncertainty and frustration – the list should really go on! So my message to you is ~ allow your creative mind to be the link to your ability to connect in with your now. To the peace within.


 

Here’s a few ideas to get you started on your everyday mindfulness journey...😊

· Garden: grow something. Nurture a living plant – here’s a link to one of my favourite Facebook pages that has a mountain of clever projects on gardening (and home crafts etc) - it's fabulous for all ages- https://www.facebook.com/FirstMediaBlossom/

· Cook – learn a culinary speciality- experiment with your plating-up!

· Dust of the Janome – learn how to make a pattern – sew up a new project.

· Still life drawing/painting – still life drawings/paintings from around your home or views from your window/balcony, yard.

· Learn how to braid (you could braid up a floor cushion).

· Journal

· Draw

· Mosaic – great way of using old unused crockery.

· Rewire an old radio

· Make your own lures

· Revamp an old piece of furniture – Pinterest is a wonderful friend for giving ideas.

· Read – journal /draw the valuable messages from the pages.

· Write a story – your story – a fictional story- a comic.

· Learn how to create a mandala.


Nag Champa to you all. You got this!



I’m off to order a braided floor cushion 😊

Peace & Courage –

Donna

Connection Therapy Counselling Services.


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2020 - ABN 481 624 5393 7 - Donna M Cahill - Connection Therapy Counselling Services - 

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