Clutter Busting Coach

...clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

Gratitude, Mindfulness and Meditation

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Gratitude allows us to notice the many blessings we have and distracts us from the many troubles that we face. Mindfulness helps us react to our troubles with grace and acceptance. Meditation is the habitual process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. Together these practices nurture a happier self.

For the last four months, I have been working to ensure that I mediate most days. Not only for self-care, but to intentionally support my resiliency by adding some peace and calm into my life daily.

Mindfulness is the awareness of “some-thing,” while meditation is the awareness of “no-thing.” There are many forms of meditation. Finding a method that works for you daily will provide the most benefit.

Ten-minute mindfulness meditation made easy:

  1. Settle in. Find a quiet space…
  2. Breathe. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and relax…
  3. Stay focused on your breath. Thoughts will try to pull your attention away from the breath…

I will set a timer before I start my meditation so I can just be. If I can, I will try to meditate more than one session a day but find that at least once and during my morning routine, helps me start my day on a positive note.

Try it if you don’t already do it.

Mindfulness in the Chaos

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When dealing with stressful times, you can easily feel overwhelmed or worried.

Here are some practices that you can use during chaotic times.

  • Use deep breathing to ground yourself and settle.
  • Visualize a STOP sign to pull yourself out of autopilot mode, to refocus and determine the best way to proceed.
  • Take a mini break. Stepping away from a situation, even for five minutes, can bring clarity and reduce tension.

Note that these are not fixes, but they are an acknowledgement that when we become out of balance and caught up in stress, there is some value to having a few tools in our toolbelt that we can use to settle ourselves in any given moment.

Take care. Stay well.

Slow Down

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A colleague of mine often says, “You have to sometimes go slow to go fast.” Usually that is in reference to a project we are working on that takes longer or heads in a different direction than the original intent.

But today, I am suggesting that you need to slow down in this hectic world. We move from task to task and experience all this busyness that can crowd out our happiness and well-being. Do not be tempted to speed through life and in the process give up your happiness and joy.

Self-care is an ongoing process and is a way for you to slow down and refill the well. So, rather than pushing through all your reserves choose daily self-care need. Taking time for yourself does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. Here are a few ideas for things you can choose to practice daily:

  • Mindfulness
  • Meditation
  • Pray
  • Breathe
  • Gratitude
  • Journal
  • Walk
  • Smile

From one minute to 15 to more, you can pick one thing from the list to fill your well…just slow down and delight in at least one moment each day….

Connecting Check in #6

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I have been focusing on connecting or connectivity for six months already. Some days continue to be easier than others. And I continue to learn lessons from this practice.

One such lesson is being present. If you are present in the moment it is amazing how you can connect with others.

I would like to share some suggestions on how you can be present:

  • Practice meditation daily. Even if it is just for 10 minutes in the morning after you wake up. Set a timer, sit comfortably and focus on your breath. If thoughts wonder in, gently return to your breath.
  • Set mindfulness cues. Setting a chime on your computer or phone to go off on a regular schedule can encourage you to pause and be aware of what is happening in the moment.
  • Set your intention. Whether before an activity or the day. Before beginning something pause for a minute and determine what you intend. By focusing on the why, your desire will stay at the forefront and can make you present in the activity.
  • Reflect on your day. Each evening before bed review how present you were during the day. This can help you learn what works and doesn’t work.
  • Identify three good things. At the end of the day think about three good things or moments you had during the day. This sets an attitude of gratitude and attracts positive things to your life.
  • Be curious. Approach each encounter or activity with great interest. You can learn a lesson even from the most difficult situations and by focusing on the positive, it changes your perspective.

There are a lot of amazing benefits to being more present and mindful and being present helps you identify when you are fearful, resistant, procrastinating or resentful. By being aware you can work on those feelings.

So, do you intend to practice being present today? I intend to continue practicing.