When I think of the word "mindful" at the moment, to me, it's more about "mind full". I have 100 tabs open in my brain - from renovating tasks, remembering to pay for school excursions, book a dentist appointment, organise a date night, plan a holiday, run my business, on top of the day-to-day logistics with family life and two young kids. It can be hard to find the time to slow down and be present in the moment. It's something that I struggle with - slowing my mind - and I am using May for my month of reset.
Ah, Mindful May. My third year in a row of attempting the 3 Ms - move, meditate and make a journal entry. For those new to the blog, I've written on this topic for the past two years. And I haven't been that successful to be honest. This year I want to identify why it hasn't been a success and see if I can make some improvements. I'm after progress, not perfection!
One of my clients told me recently that she has done 75 days of meditation in a row (I'm sure she's cracked that record even higher by now). And it got me thinking... why is this not something I prioritise? To be fair, this client and I have different circumstances, I'm not retired and I have young kids so that is a significant factor. But we both find time in a day to clean our teeth right? So if something is a priority, like oral hygiene, then why isn't my mind health moving to the top of the list as well? It makes me think...
So what does mindfulness mean to you?
To me, mindfulness is being present in the moment and not worrying about the past or the future. I think about slowing down my mind from the never-ending to-do list and pay attention to the little things in life.
Do you ever stop to look up at the clouds? Look at the crispness of a blue sky? Smell a flower? Listen to the birds when you go for a walk? This is something I have been working harder at this year when I go for a walk. I've given up on getting into podcasts and instead try to listen to nature and focus on my breathing.
In previous years, I've worked on the three "M's" (and no, not M&Ms - but if I have those, I'm a peanut M&Ms girl). I'm referring to Move, Meditate and Make a Journal Entry.
MOVE, MEDITATE, MAKE A JOURNAL ENTRY
Move. It's ideal to get your heart rate up so a brisk walk for 30 minutes might be your go-to. I do Pilates in my studio, go to couples PT with Mr Jones and I try to fit in a weekly walk with a friend. As the weather is cooler, it's certainly easier to get out and enjoy the sunshine. If I don't feel like doing much or feel a bit flat, I will do stretching or trigger ball/foam roller work. I know I need to make an appointment with myself or it won't happen so I try to use Sunday evening to write my intentions for the week. And exercise is highlighted in yellow for me.
Meditate. For May, I am taking a leaf out of the "Atomic Habits" book and I will build this new habit around an existing habit. So every night, after I clean my teeth, I will do a 5 minute meditation. I will use the habit of cleaning my teeth to then reset my brain, just before I go to sleep and use Insight Timer (it's free) for a 5 minute guided mediation. Surely this will lead to better sleep as well!
Make a journal entry. I've enjoyed journalling thanks to a lovely friend who bought me a Gratitude journal a few years back. It's not something I think to do every day but on the days I express gratitude, I feel much calmer. Sometimes the thing that I'm grateful for could be coffee if I've had a bad night sleep. Or maybe it's a sunny day. It doesn't have to be deep or significant every day. I also like my journal as it prompts me to identify "what is something you are worried about today that won't matter in 6 months time?" It really helps me gain perspective on things that seem important in the moment but are not in the scheme of life.
I'm only human and as it gets colder, it's harder to get up in the morning. But maybe I can wake up, start the fire and make my journal entry out there.
As with anything, consistency is key so I vow to work harder on creating a better way to calm my mind and set myself up for the day.
Anyone want to join me for Mindful May? I'm posting this blog early so you can be ready to start with me in a few days time!
Till next time Wellspringers, may your mind and body be reset during Mindful May month,
Love Holly
xx
Well done Holly for making a commitment to work on your holistic health and wellbeing goals and for being so honest. Movement, meditation and making journal entries are all very important. It is good to remind ourselves at times of the importance of the journey not the destination.
Alison