Stealing Moments of Bliss

As a somewhat anxious counsellor (and human being), I often catch myself lost in the mumble jumble of my thoughts. Despite recommending mindfulness to so many of my own clients, I often have to remind myself to truly embody it in my day to day life.

Simply put, mindfulness is being aware of feelings and sensations in the present moment. This includes one's internal states and surroundings. To a novice, it looks like a simple concept, but in execution it can be tough. In fact, you can take a minute and try it out right now!

Set a timer for one minute, lower your eyes and notice where you feel your breath. That might be the air going in and out of your nostrils or the rise and fall of your chest or stomach. Focus on your breath. When your mind wanders, just take your attention back to your breath.

• What was it like?

• What sensations did you notice?

• How often did your mind drift from your breath to your thoughts?

Spending time in the present seems impossible. So often we find ourselves on autopilot, just going through the motions of life. Other times, we drift to the past. And more often than not, we race to the future. Yet, when you truly pay attention to each and every sensation you experience, it can be a truly euphoric sensation.

Image 2: Mind full or Mindful?

Some of my favourite ways to experience mindfulness are:

Listening to a song and letting the words fade away but noticing the beats of the song. Feeling the music reverberate in my body.

• Watching the view of the sunset on a train ride back home. Feeling the breeze of the wind as I take in the colours and warmth.

• Noticing the ache in my muscles when I climb up the stairs (and my breathlessness too!)

• Pausing and feeling the softness of my night cream, letting its scent linger. Taking the time to sit with the cold sensation on my face and the light pressure of my fingers.

When I’m mindful, I’m left with a feeling of awe. That these simple senses could evoke so much joy. It evokes feelings of gratitude for the small events and intricacies we experience. I experience a sense of wonderment. Wonderment that even in this complicated world with so many things that feel out of control, I have truly been present in this moment. A feeling of weightlessness because for a brief while, my mind is not consumed with what was or what will be. To my reader, if you are consumed by a flurry of thoughts or that foggy sensation that your mind is weighed down by, I’d encourage you to pause, and simply notice. Perhaps for a while, that is all you need.

Disclaimer: This blog post is meant for awareness/entertainment purposes only. It is not medical advice and one must refrain from self-diagnosing. It is in no way a substitute for therapy with a mental health professional and it is not meant to be clinical. To consult with a psychotherapist on our team, you can contact us on fettle.counselling@gmail.com.