Mindful Mommy Moments

Hey Loves!

Question for ya- You ever find yourself not able to slow your mind down? Or feel like you body is trying to catch up to your brain? Do you ever just want to tune out all the “noise’? Have you just wanted to pause for a second, get it together and then jump back into this constantly moving life? (That was more than one question, sorry.)

I’m asking because I often felt that way, most times all day every day. I was on medicine to sleep because my mind would not stop. In March of 2017, I began an attempt at meditation. I used several apps for guided meditation and my favorite was headspace (INSERT LINK). They have a free course and it really help me understand how to slow my mind, not completely shut it off, return back to the practice and practice mindfulness through my day. Then, meditation became an integral part of my wellness journey.

Are there stretches of days when I don’t mediate or practice mindfulness, yes. At the end of the day, do I feel more exhausted and think I could’ve chosen better reactions, also, yes. Le sigh.

My mindfulness practices are not perfect and have just reach consistent but the value to me of being aware of when my mind needs a pause, re-set, or redirection is too great for me to ever completely stop.

How do I practice it? That’s part of the reason I get so early now, so all of the components of my wellness journey (mindfulness, biblical study and physical rest and physical fitness) can be met before I start pouring out. Oprah said, “your job is to get so full, you’re spilling over.” Obvi, she’s not wrong. My goal is to serve from my saucer not my cup, so my poring source is never completely empty or dry anymore, and that isn’t always easy.

So, I get up early and I hydrate with water and coffee and don’t have on any lights except that from my diffuser. I start with documenting my gratitude and then moving into a guided mindfulness practice with the Shine app (INSERT LINK). Then I begin focusing on my intention for the day. That sounds super deep, but it isn’t. I will say to myself or out-loud “My intention for today is to only focus on what has to happen, not all I can get done.” Or “My intention is to be fully present when I play with kids.” I repeat it several times and do my best to remember it during the day. Then I do bible study, maybe journal and then workout. From then on, I’m giving to my kids and others.

Sometime during midday, nap time or maybe even when my husband takes over with the kids, I take another reset. Sometimes I will use the shine app for a guided meditation or I will focus on several breaths, making them really deep and focusing only on the breath. I may do circular breathing, visualization and/or repeat my intention for the day.

I also try to quiet my mind before bed, giving myself permission to turn off and sleep. Sleep is integral for me as lack of sleep have disastrous domino ripple effects. It is often hard for me to be present in the “right now” and stop. Meaning, I can re-check my to-do list, sometimes make up more things “I can get done really quick” which often leads to other things that can get done and before I know it it is midnight and then it takes me an hour to fall into a restless sleep and that day is shot as I wake unrested, unfilled and defeated.Thus, the permission I give myself to sleep. I also take this time to be alone. I take stock of my emotions and my energies and release what I need to. If there is something I have to write down, I put in my phone and leave it there. Speaking of phones, it goes on DND.

So, I aim for a minimum of 3 times throughout the day but sometimes there are more. Sometimes, I don’t even get one in. The trick, for me at least, is to remember to come back to the practice and that it is a practice-the more I do it, the easier it will be.

Honor what is in front of you