ABSTRACT
I think of mindfulness as a way to rejuvenate myself and to create restorative time to bring me back to this moment right now. It is time focused on being present with myself, with self-awareness as an act of care. When engaging with(in) a mindful moment act, a meditation or any formal or informal mindfulness strategy, I am centred and grounding myself. I might be practicing a strategy that takes 30 seconds or something that takes longer. No matter the practice I engage with, mindfulness is an act of pausing, non-judgmentally, with an awareness. It is about taking the time and this honouring of time is an act for and of care.
I do not think of mindfulness for productivity, as is often sold to us in some commercial and human resources situations. For me the sensation of feeling present, or grounded, is a sensation and experience of wholeness. I am connected to my breath and breathing deeply, slowly with an intentionality that interrupts any focus on a tension in my body or a rumination. Although thoughts pop into my mind, and they do for everyone, I can notice and appreciate without analysing or reacting. In this moment I am tuning in to that very moment, regulating my internal physical responses to stress or what is occurring for me in my mind chatter. I am counteracting the fight, fight, fawn or freeze response.
In this chapter we spend time understanding mindfulness as an act of care, and as an important part of your toolbox for self-care. Mindfulness for your self-care assists us in two ways:
Mindful awareness of your needs – tuning in to each minute, moment, day and week, and noticing non-judgementally what is happening for you and what will help you at this time.
As informal or formal mindfulness practices that form tools for your toolbox.
