We are all familiar with the idea of living in the present moment. We find times in life where we try to be more mindful and live in the now. Perhaps you schedule it for your yoga class or the next time you are practicing mindful breathing. This is great. But what about the moments in between?
We are all familiar with the idea of living in the present moment. We find times in life where we try to be more mindful and live in the now. Perhaps you schedule it for your yoga class or the next time you are practicing mindful breathing. This is great. But what about the moments in between?
Life is to be lived in every single moment. It doesn't start and stop. This means, mindfulness has the potential to be a part of every hour, every minute and every second. Your only opportunity to succeed is in the moment. Whether you are at work or at dinner with friends, the words you choose, the conversations you have and the actions you take, are in that very moment. They can't be changed. When you put it into perspective, every second counts.
Being present is the only way to live a rich and truly full life. Learning to become present starts with routine. You can't truly benefit from mindfulness without practice and this means setting yourself a strong routine. Here's how...
Wake Up 15 Minutes Earlier
We all know the importance of a solid morning routine. Tomorrow, set your alarm 15 minutes earlier than you normally would. This gives you 15 minutes extra time in your day that you otherwise wouldn't have had.
Now, I am not going to tell you what to do in these 15 minutes, but I will tell you what not to do. Do not look at your phone. This extra time is for you! Picking up your phone and scrolling through social media, only reinforces the fact that other people's lives are more important than yours. By doing this, you are subconsciously setting yourself up for a less-productive and more stressful day. You are also putting your own needs second and that is a BIG no no. You want to be your first priority.
Whatever you are doing with this extra time, do it with intention. Whether you are taking a shower or sipping your morning coffee. Whatever it is, you are already 15 minutes ahead in your day. Trust me, if you start your day scrambling and running late, you won't be able to claim that time back.
Once you have created space in the morning, that is your time. No one can take it away from you and no one can control what you do with it. Given how much our time is controlled by our obligations, such as work and children, finding time for us alone is an incredible gift.
So, start tomorrow. Setting your alarm just 15 minutes earlier and doing whatever it is you do, but with a sense of ease, as this extra time is something you didn't have yesterday.
Visualise How You Want Your Day To Be
Visualisation is a powerful tool. There is no doubt in my mind that if you can believe it, you can do it. For this exercise, I want you to take ten minutes tonight to visualise what your tomorrow morning will look like. Go into detail in your mind. Go through everything you will do, from taking a shower to brushing your teeth. Remember, it's the simple things. The everyday routine you have is simple, but it is unbelievably powerful. Visualise yourself continuing your whole day as your best self. The best possible version of you. Maybe you are happy, determined, stress-free, motivated, inspired, whatever your best self looks like, visualise her.
Now, I will be real here, life doesn't always adhere to our plans, so be prepared for tomorrow not to go exactly how you want. That's ok. It will give you the chance to flex your equanimity muscle. So tonight, ten minutes of visualisation for tomorrow morning. Do it right before bed as that is when your mind & your body are most relaxed.
Search For Small Joys
Jay Shetty once said, "... we don't have a retention problem, we have an attention problem." This was a lightbulb moment for me. We think we have "bad" memories, when in fact, we just don't pay enough attention to the small things, so we don't retain the information.
This next challenge is to find something new. Search for something new in the routine you already have. So, when you are brushing your teeth, having your shower or sipping your coffee... make a point of finding something new. Search for it. It can be as small as noticing your hair band laying on the bench as you make your coffee.
You might notice the way the sun shines through your curtains in the morning. Find anything. This allows you to do familiar things with awareness. This is how you get off autopilot and learn to become mindful in each moment.
So my first three tips in a nutshell...
Wake up 15 minutes earlier
Visualise your day
Search for new things
These small steps are just the start of a whole new world for you. Once we create space within the mind, anything is possible.
Courtney, xx
GUEST BLOGGER
Courtney Love is the Principle Yoga Instructor at Bend By Courtney. She's been featured on Sunrise and Women's Health. Browse her wellness products or find her on Instagram: @bendbycourtney or on Facebook click here.
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