How to enter the new year mindful
There has been alot of talk surrounding being more mindful and mindful living. Maybe one of your goals for the New Year is to add a little more mindfulness into your everyday routines + lifestyle. Hi! My name is Denawa and I am the creator of Sittin' Crooked Talkin' Straight and mindful living is one of my most favorite things to talk about. Practicing mindfulness is the ability to be present in the moment while acknowledging different emotions, feelings, and thoughts that may come up in that present moment. Practicing mindfulness allows for staying "grounded" and gives you the ability to just be in times of difficulties, without wavering from the core of who you are as a person. Through mindfulness, you can begin to have a deeper awareness of yourself and others as you developed that sense of a deeper understanding of who you are right now. As we go into a brand new decade I want to provide you with a few tips and tools to step into the New Year more mindfully.
Meditation: Meditation is a great grounding tool that can be used in mindfulness practice. The beauty of meditation is that it is completely customizable and can be done at any time and anywhere. Taking a few moments to connect your mind, body and breath can center thoughts while slowing the mind. Reconnecting breath with the body allows you the space to connect with your senses while grounding yourself.
Body Scan: Taking inventory of your body (physically + emotionally). Really checking in with yourself and noticing how you are feeling. What emotions are there? Is there any discomfort? Tension? Body scans can be used as a self-evaluation tool and can be done several times a day as needed. Acknowledge what comes up for you, give yourself compassion, love, and grace. Stay with the emotion and then let it go. Surrendering to difficulties as they come up with the mindset that each situation is momentary and will have an ending
Perspective: Perspective is the most powerful tool we have. Perspective is so powerful that how you personally choose to use it can determine every experience. Understanding that challenges will happen and that we all have the ability to choose how we view those challenges. Challenges can be viewed as an opportunity for growth or it can be viewed as a turning point where everything comes crashing down. Empower yourself and remember, you have the option to change YOUR perspective + rise to the occasion.
As the year + decade ends, it is completely understandable to feel the pressure of "New Year, New Me" resolutions and it's very easy to get caught up in the hype of creating a long list of goals and expectations of what's to come. I encourage you to take this time to also set an intention for the New Year and all that is in store for you. Create space within your mind and your environment for countless possibilities. Taking a mindful approach to remain grounded will provide endless opportunities of growth.
In what ways will you be more mindful in the New Year? What intentions do you want to set and how will you create space for those possibilities? I would love to hear how you will take on 2020!
