This was the most helpful explanation of mindfulness I have ever read. I have struggled with the mediation/mindfulness distinction. I also loved the river analogy, somehow it is much easier to see the ruminations from shore as you describe. Thank you!
Awesome, that’s exactly why I wrote it! I think if we don’t understand the purpose, it’s easy to write it off as not for us. I’m definitely not a meditation-type, but thankfully, we don’t have to be in order to use mindfulness as a tool. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your reaction!
I find vacuuming to be similar to grass cutting - the white noise, the repetition, the satisfaction of a job done - except without mosquitos, wasps and sweat!
I find a good explanation and teacher important in understanding and practising mindfulness. sometimes I think life also directs us to the experience of mindfulness. then we have this a-ha moment upon recognising what the experience is. ⭐
As usual I love this Amber. I especially love the analogy. I definitely misunderstood mindfulness until being introduced to DBT and I have found that explaining mindfulness through the lens of the "what" and "how" skills helps my clients understand it so much better as well.
I like using walks, painting, and cooking as opportunities for mindfulness :)
Thanks Deanna! I agree, DBT training helped me so much with understanding this for myself and for clients, and I love the tools for making mindfulness concrete.
This explanation of mindfulness really resonates—especially in a time when the word gets tossed around so much it can start to lose meaning. I was first drawn to mindfulness through the more traditional practices—yoga, meditation, breath work. But over time, I’ve found just as much value in weaving it into everyday moments. As a new mom, practicing mindfulness while doing simple chores (like folding laundry) has been a game changer!
I appreciated your thoughts here on the myths. I've always hated the mindfulness stuff.
The serenity-industrial complex sells us the idea that there's this magic off switch for all the worry and fear and anxiety and rage one feels, and if you can't find it by just sitting still and "emptying your mind" then something's clearly wrong with you.
It is not possible for a person to empty their mind and turn off their thoughts. People don't have off switches.
We've always been told that to have "mindfulness" you can't be doing something with your hands, or walking in nature, or anything involving movement or vision.
Mindfulness is an unattainable goal for those of us who fidget, who think non-linearly, who can't sit still. For us, mindfulness is something you had to do afterschool because you got in trouble. Why would anyone want that?
Another beautifully explained article, Amber. Thank you. I'll be repeating another mindfulness training course soon, as I strongly believe in incorporating mindfulness into my daily routine.
This was the most helpful explanation of mindfulness I have ever read. I have struggled with the mediation/mindfulness distinction. I also loved the river analogy, somehow it is much easier to see the ruminations from shore as you describe. Thank you!
Awesome, that’s exactly why I wrote it! I think if we don’t understand the purpose, it’s easy to write it off as not for us. I’m definitely not a meditation-type, but thankfully, we don’t have to be in order to use mindfulness as a tool. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your reaction!
I find vacuuming to be similar to grass cutting - the white noise, the repetition, the satisfaction of a job done - except without mosquitos, wasps and sweat!
In this heat, I agree!
Excellent, clear, and thorough explanation of mindfulness, and the wide variety of ways it can look for a person. Thank you!
Thanks for reading Chloe!
I find a good explanation and teacher important in understanding and practising mindfulness. sometimes I think life also directs us to the experience of mindfulness. then we have this a-ha moment upon recognising what the experience is. ⭐
Agree, those aha moments are so powerful…it can be hard to fully grasp it from just an explanation. Experience brings it to life.
As usual I love this Amber. I especially love the analogy. I definitely misunderstood mindfulness until being introduced to DBT and I have found that explaining mindfulness through the lens of the "what" and "how" skills helps my clients understand it so much better as well.
I like using walks, painting, and cooking as opportunities for mindfulness :)
Thanks Deanna! I agree, DBT training helped me so much with understanding this for myself and for clients, and I love the tools for making mindfulness concrete.
Thank you for your description on mindfulness. I understand it better now.
I’m so glad Mat. Thanks for reading and stopping to share your thoughts!
This explanation of mindfulness really resonates—especially in a time when the word gets tossed around so much it can start to lose meaning. I was first drawn to mindfulness through the more traditional practices—yoga, meditation, breath work. But over time, I’ve found just as much value in weaving it into everyday moments. As a new mom, practicing mindfulness while doing simple chores (like folding laundry) has been a game changer!
I appreciated your thoughts here on the myths. I've always hated the mindfulness stuff.
The serenity-industrial complex sells us the idea that there's this magic off switch for all the worry and fear and anxiety and rage one feels, and if you can't find it by just sitting still and "emptying your mind" then something's clearly wrong with you.
It is not possible for a person to empty their mind and turn off their thoughts. People don't have off switches.
We've always been told that to have "mindfulness" you can't be doing something with your hands, or walking in nature, or anything involving movement or vision.
Mindfulness is an unattainable goal for those of us who fidget, who think non-linearly, who can't sit still. For us, mindfulness is something you had to do afterschool because you got in trouble. Why would anyone want that?
Another beautifully explained article, Amber. Thank you. I'll be repeating another mindfulness training course soon, as I strongly believe in incorporating mindfulness into my daily routine.