Is mindfulness something that comes naturally to you? Do you act and think mindfully without any thought or effort? Or is mindfulness just another task on your to-do list?
Mindfulness is a wonderful practice, with the variety of ways it can change our lives there’s no wonder that it’s gaining so much interest in today’s society. But if you’re trying to become more mindful by forcing yourself to participate in mindful activities, like meditation, then is it really helping? You might not want to hear it, but the honest truth is that if you fake mindfulness, it just doesn’t work.
To become a more mindful person you have to put your heart into it. Don’t do it because you think it will be good for you; do it because you want to—it’s as simple as that. Do what you can do, when you can do it and don’t force it.
Try choosing just a handful of mindful practices/activities and stick with those few things until they become instinctive, until you don’t have to think about them anymore.
Incorporate some of these mindful activities into your day:
- Keep a journal of your day
- Really listen to people when they talk to you
- Turn of your phone, even if only for meal
- Savor every bite of food
- Try a quick meditation technique
See more simple things you can do each day to become more mindful.
If you’re trying to become more mindful as a family, or are trying to teach your children to become more mindful, always remember that your children (or anyone around you really) will feel your energy. If you’re going into it with the wrong mindset it will never work. Try to practice mindfulness with your children, don’t just turn on a meditation guide and tell them to do it!
How did you begin incorporating mindfulness into your life? Did it come naturally, or did it take time to learn?