Mindfulness in the Modern World: Simple Practices for a Calmer, Happier You

Hi Loves,

It's Chloe Jasmine here, and I am so excited to kick off our Spring journey together with a topic that is near and dear to my heart - mindfulness.

---

In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the chaos and forget to take a moment for yourself. That's where mindfulness comes in - it's all about being present and aware of your thoughts and feelings, without judgment. It's a powerful tool that can help you reduce stress, improve your relationships, and increase your overall well-being.

Can you relate to this feeling of being totally overwhelmed and like you can't keep up with all of life's demands? I know I can. As a mom, wifey, marketing consultant, mentor and wellness advocate, I often feel like there just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. And that's why I want to talk to you today about mindfulness in the modern world.

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the moment, without judgment or distraction. It's a simple concept, but how do we practice mindfulness in the modern world? It can seem overwhelming, especially when we have so many distractions and responsibilities vying for our attention. The good news is that mindfulness is a practice that can be integrated into your everyday life, whether it's through meditation, breathing exercises, or simply paying attention to the present moment. This is where CJL comes to save the day, with a few of my favorite and simple ways to bring mindfulness practice to every day…

One of my favorite mindfulness principles comes from the renowned author and psychiatrist, Daniel Siegel. He calls it the "Wheel of Awareness”, and it's a visualization exercise that can help you connect with your inner self and cultivate a sense of calm. It involves imagining a wheel with different areas of your mind, body, and emotions, and slowly bringing your attention to each one. If this sounds cool to you, by all means – dig a little deeper with one of his books, AWARE, that will teach you so many magnificent tricks and tools!

Another great way to practice mindfulness is through meditation. I often say to my husband and friends, “This is Me, ON MEDITATION! Could you imagine what I’d be like if I didn’t meditate multiple times a day?!” Face:Palm. Lol, but for real…Take a few minutes each day to sit in a quiet space and focus on your breath. You can use a guided meditation app or simply sit in silence. The key is to let go of any distractions and simply be present in the moment. There are tons of meditation apps out there, many for free. My absolute fave is Insight Timer, it has courses, hundreds of thousands of guided and music based meditations and all sorts of community perks, both free and paid versions are amazing!

If you find your day filling up and the thought of adding one more thing is going to break you – you can simply incorporate it into your daily activities – no additions needed! ;)

For example, when you're washing the dishes, focus on the sensation of the water and the movement of your hands. When you're out for a walk, pay attention to your surroundings and the sensations in your body.

But mindfulness isn't just about being present in the moment. It's also about cultivating a sense of compassion and empathy for yourself and others. It's about recognizing that we're all human, and we all make mistakes. When we practice mindfulness, we can let go of judgment and self-criticism, and instead, approach ourselves and others with kindness and understanding. So let’s all take a collective deep breath and acknowledge that life is messy sometimes, and that's okay. It's important to be kind to ourselves and give ourselves a break, especially when it feels like the to-do list is never-ending.

So, as we navigate the craziness of 2023, let's make mindfulness a priority. Let's take a few minutes each day to practice being present and compassionate, and let's approach ourselves and others with kindness and understanding. Remember, mindfulness is a journey - it's not about being perfect, but rather about making progress and cultivating a sense of awareness and presence in your everyday life – you don’t have to meditate for hours or become a Yogi overnight, or anything. So let's do this together, and be kind to ourselves along the way.

Sending you love and mindfulness vibes, XXX Chloe Jasmine

#mindfulness #mindfulpractice #presentmoment #selfawareness #innerpeace #danielsiegel #mentalclarity #growth