I started a new mindfulness course on Monday. So far the course is pure mindfulness, as opposed to guided visualisations, or philosophical guidance. And it’s proving really useful already.
We’ve been practicing body scans, and mindful everyday activities, such as making a cup of tea or eating a meal in a really present and aware way.
Like most of us, I have a really busy mind, I’m mostly either living in the past or the future. I’m worrying, hoping, analysing, making up scenarios… and I forget that all I really have is what’s here now in this moment.
Mindfulness is helping to bring me into the now, and to take a step back from all the to-dos, all the thoughts and worries and concerns. It’s reminding me that life is actually simple, and the every day is beautiful. On our course we did the raisin exercise, where you spend ten minutes really being present to the taste, smell, texture, even sound of the raisin (they sound surprisingly crinkly) and in that time I was at peace, simply engaged with what was in my hand.
Uncertainty fuels worry, and worry fuels uncertainty. We become overwhelmed by the uncertain nature of the world around us because we’re thinking about what could be, about what we don’t know, and it can lead us to feel stressed, anxious and exhausted. Mindfulness takes us away from all that thinking and analysing and fearing of the unknown. It brings us back to the simple things that we do know, the simple beautiful things that are always present around us.
So my recommendation is to try some mindfulness, go on a course, or use an App (Headspace is great) and see how it can help you navigate this uncertain and complex world.
With love as always, Hannah and Team Bird