On How to Start Developing a Mindfulness Practice
My relationship with mindfulness has not always been the most stable and secure experience. In fact, regardless of how much I researched mindfulness and meditation (and I REALLY love my research), I thought, “mmm, that’s not for me.” I had pre-judged my ability to use mindfulness, simply because I didn’t know how to. We have a lot of ideas of what mindfulness is supposed to look like, but In reality, there is no right way to become mindful or to create moments of mindfulness in your daily life. I want to show you a very approachable way to become more mindful and it starts with understanding what “mindfulness” means.
what is mindfulness?
Mindfulness- the ability to maintain awareness moment by moment in an open, accepting, and non-judgmental way.
Because our brain is wired to judge, evaluate, and process everything we think, feel, and experience, it doesn’t automatically land in a state of mindfulness. It’s not interested in slowing down or becoming aware of moment to moment shifts—it’s actually designed to do the opposite: to scan for threat, alarm us that something is awry, and kick us into high gear to act. This is why slowing down and staying present can be challenging and probably why most of us feel like we’re doing mindfulness “wrong.”
The good news is that mindfulness is a choice, and the more we practice it, the more naturally it may come for us. There is something that happens when we introduce a mindfulness practice into our everyday lives. We can’t immediately see it, but the change can be remarkable. When we practice mindfulness in shifting moments of our day-to-day experiences, we train and activate calming regions of our brain that soothe the very quick-to-react amygdala- the part of our brain that sends us into fight, flight, freeze, or fawn modes.
the simple way to start a mindfulness practice
We can welcome mindfulness anywhere we go and everywhere we are. Even in this moment. As you read this, where are you physically? How are you breathing right now? What parts of your body feel uncomfortable? As you become more aware of yourself and your surroundings, I imagine your breath may slow down. Maybe you close your eyes to activate other senses, this can also be helpful. The intention is simple: become aware of your senses and your surroundings, take slow and deep breaths, and do so in a nonjudgmental way. Observe rather than evaluate or make meaning of your experience.
There will be moments where you feel frustrated and this feels difficult, because it is! You are literally re-wiring your brain. Try to imagine that your relationship to mindfulness is similar to relationships you have with those you love and deeply care for—you embrace them with patience, you open yourself to what they will teach you, and you try to welcome them however they show up. Mindfulness is devoted to making us feel better, it is committed to us in that way. These days, I rely on it daily.
Check out some of the following resources I love:
Gaby Ramos is passionate about the process of becoming and knowing oneself and she believes that as our self awareness increases, the quality of our communication improves; fostering self-esteem, confidence, and resiliency in our relationships. She is mindful of the unfolding process in the present moment and take a gentle yet active approach in helping individuals recognize and embrace a genuine experience of self. As you collaborate, she will support and help guide you in being an embodied participant of your present emotions.
Gaby brings her inherent values of cultural awareness and diversity to the room with her. She works from a relational, culturally sensitive, and embodied perspective. As a highly sensitive person and former national and international professional performer, she strongly enjoys helping individuals access their creative potentials.
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