Hello again fam!

Hope your January is off to a great start! We’re nearing the end of the month, can you believe it?

I’m currently on my 101th day of consistent mindfulness/mediation practice. I made a commitment to this practice because I knew the positive impact it would have on my life. Today I want to share with you how beneficial cultivating this practice is and how it can help you live with more light & love!

In a recent instagram post on my Mind/Move/Matter page, I shared a video on how to incorporate mindfulness into our everyday life!

Mindfulness is noticing any thoughts, feelings, physical sensations in the present moment with non harmful judgment. Yeah, that part. We all struggle with judgment of our own thoughts, reactions, actions, etc. But that’s where the practice of mindfulness comes in. With consistent practice you begin to notice your inner mind chatter.

So how do we do that? Like most things, you take it one small step at a time. Mindfulness and meditation can be used interchangeably. Meditation may bring to mind the picture of someone in a cross legged position with their eyes closed, in a complete state of zen. Maybe you’ve tried it and asked “How do they do it? I can’t keep still to save my life!” Been there!

You can begin your mindfulness practice in your everyday routines. Brushing your teeth, drinking your cup of tea or coffee, taking your daily walk with the pup. The purpose is to awaken your 5 senses: touch, smell, sound, taste, sight. You practice focusing and paying attention to what you’re noticing. What do you see? How do your feet feel as they hit the ground? Notice something different about your surroundings? How does the tea taste? Yes, it’s that easy. All we have to do is start practicing and continue to show up.

What helped me was to do a 66 day habit challenge! Why 66 days? Studies have shown that it takes 66 days to develop a habit that will stick. I invited others to join in on the fun too! We had an instagram chat and a Facebook group to encourage and share our struggles and wins. The idea of a challenge was motivating and I also kept a journal where I could track my progress. The physical act of checking something off was super satisfying.

If you’re looking to do a seated meditation/mindfulness practice, start small. 5 minutes goes a LONG way. Find a comfortable position, relax the shoulders, soften in the jaw and start to bring attention to your breath or your body. Close your eyes if you feel comfortable or feel free to take a soft gaze. Notice how you feel in that moment, notice the rise and fall of your breath and notice any recurring thoughts. This is the practice! When your mind wanders off, come back to the breath or body. The art of mindfulness is coming back again and again. As time progresses, 5 minutes turns into 10 minutes, 10 minutes turns into 15 minutes and so on. But it’s not about how long you practice, it’s about showing up consistently and not giving up. Need accountability? Join the tribe!

Stay tuned for more tips and reflections. Would love to hear from you! Share this with a friend or colleague who could benefit from this practice!