In today’s culture of information-overload, it’s easy to get caught up in the never ending cycle of communication we’re inundated with. There’s information coming at us from every direction, and whether the source is social media, news outlets, emails, podcasts, text messages, (or all of the above), this constant bombardment feeds into our daily lives whether we actively participate or not. I can only speak for myself when I say this, but recently I feel like my own peace of mind can be easily disrupted by the abundance of information we have on the very topic of being mindful itself. Oh the irony of it!
Mindful or Mind Full?
I adore books, podcasts, articles, and conversations about mental health. I’m lucky to have friends and family that are open to talking about growth, and I think it’s an absolute privilege to have access to all the information that we do at our fingertips. However, it can also be overwhelming at times. I’ve realised that one of my challenges, especially when feeling vulnerable, is that I can be easily influenced. When I’m searching for the ‘answers’, it’s difficult to comprehend where one opinion ends and another one begins. A leading psychologist on a podcast will advise one thing, while a doctor in a book might suggest something contradictory. A friend has another opinion all together. No one is intentionally imposing their views onto us, yet it can be hard to not let it all bleed together.
Who should I believe!? With all this information, my process of being more mindful is causing my mind to be too damn full!
What is mindfulness?
It might differ from person to person, but mindfulness, for me, involves accepting things as they are. It means letting go of judgements about my past and leaving aside the worries I might have about my future. It’s about just being and not scratching the itch, so to speak. When I’m being mindful I’m taking one moment at a time. I get into a zone where I’m not distracted by my thoughts or my surroundings, and I’m just flowing. I’m present. I’m here.
With that being said – it’s not often that I’m in this mindful state! It’s a work in progress, and probably something I’ll be working towards for the rest of my life. But when I do have mindful moments, they allow me to experience all the beauty, insanity, and magic of life in a vivid, and meaningful way. When I’m mindful, I believe everything is exactly as it’s supposed to be.
Trust YOU
Regardless of who says what or how many opinions and contrasting views we have coming at us, one thing remains the same: NOBODY knows you like you know yourself. No-one has experienced what you have experienced. No-one can fully understand how you feel and why. I mean, sometimes it’s hard enough to understand ourselves, let alone expecting others to understand us! It doesn’t really matter what science says, what experts say, or what your best mate says. What matters is how we speak to ourselves, how we trust ourselves, and how we follow our own judgement. We may fail, but if we live our lives with confidence and conviction, those failures will eventually turn into successes.
So next time your mind is full and the overload of information and opinions feel like a big old burden, remember to take a step back and focus on your own self-awareness and intuition. Trust in yourself and your own experiences, and let go of external influences. Do whatever it takes to find a safe-place within yourself. Find a little bubble that’s yours, and yours only. Your own journey to mindfulness is unique, and I guarantee it’s worth exploring.
