Mindfulness: What Is It? (Even if you dont know please post so we can help grow the forums accordingly)

[blondguy]

Hi Everybody

This is only the basic dictionary definition...

"Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment without judgement"

• Please be as blunt you wish....If you dont have an idea about mindfulness it would be great if you could let us know
• If mindfulness hasnt worked/or is too broad a concept for you it would great if you can let us know your thoughts too
• If mindfulness has helped you, please help others to help themselves by posting how you have embraced this mindset

It goes without saying that the forums are a judgement free zone and I really hope that everyone can jump in and have their say

Your input is highly valued no matter how you respond to this topic. There are no experts here...New Posters are Most Welcome!!

My Kindest Thoughts

Paul

[IreneM]

Hi all

@Matches - I think that the Relaxation aspect of Mindfulness will always be around and I think that the demand for school counsellors is growing as Mental Health gets out there more.

@Greg - Great to hear that you are benefiting from Mindfulness as well.

Activity Scheduling is what I need to work on more at the moment, along with gradual exposure therapy. It is a long path but I am getting there slowly; initial results I am gaining more energy.

Irene.

[quirkywords]

Irene,

Activity scheduling is that as simple as it sounds , working out what activities to plan at a certain time? Or do I have that wrong. I am interested into what that entails.

I tend to be an all or nothing person when planning exercise or activities.

Quirky

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone...New members are always welcome to post too 🙂

Hey Greg.....Thankyou for your inspirational thread and kudos to you for your proactive mindset

Greg mentioned "Living in the moment and being grateful for who you are and what you have are very important"

my kind thoughts

Paul

[IreneM]

HI Quirky

Depression can get you down and cause you to spend too much time in bed or just sitting around and this in turn causes a cycle of not being able to get up and move around or even to look after yourself. This can include avoiding people or other situations.

Activity Scheduling is to help break that cycle of doing nothing if that makes sense. It can be incidental activity like getting up to clean yourself or clean your teeth through to any kind of activity that you enjoy doing like a short walk to the letterbox, painting, writing, spending time with a friend over a coffee, join a community group, the possibilities are endless. Setting reminders on your phone can also help.

Hope that helps.

My progress. Since I have begun doing things I haven't had as much fatigue and it is getting easier to be doing things and helping out around the home. My partner was doing everything before, now we share things more. I do something everyday. Not much but it's a start. Starting to have more energy now.

Irene.

Irene.

[quirkywords]

Irene

Thanks for your explanation.

I think we sometime over complicate things by giving them a more complicated name than is needed.

Someone once told me she had a done list instead of a to do list and I liked that idea.

Quirky

[Mummakins]

Hi all, thank for your inspiration.

Society expects us to be busy busy busy as a sign of our success. Some people can do it, like my mum and my sister. Me it just makes my head spin.

I remember my first relaxation meditation at school, the year 1978. I have a clear picture of the surroundings and of the teacher who conducted it. I had never experienced anything like that. We sat at our desks with our heads resting on the desktops.

I struggle with mindfulness when anxiety strikes but know if it’s benefits. I am always willing to learn more.

[quirkywords]

Mumakins,

I am glad you had a good experience of meditation from a class at school. I did not learn about mindfulness and meditation till my late 50s so I find it hard to take on board.

Now I just try to concentrate on one thing at a time and be in the moment and it a bit of hit and miss if it works or not.

Thanks for adding to the discussion.

Quirky

[blondguy]

Hi Everyone! New members are always welcome to post too

Hey Mummakins........Thankyou for your post and for being a part of the Beyond Blue forum family 🙂

Mummakins mentioned "I struggle with mindfulness when anxiety strikes but know if it’s benefits. I am always willing to learn more" Ditto here Mummakins.....I have been taught different techniques years ago as well and also struggle with 'Mindfulness' as well.....thus the reason for me writing this thread....Thankyou for understanding

Hey Irene....thankyou for your helpful post where occupation is concerned!

Irene mentioned "Since I have begun doing things I haven't had as much fatigue and it is getting easier to be doing things and helping out around the home. My partner was doing everything before, now we share things more. I do something everyday. Not much but it's a start" Irene....This is a huge move up the rocky road to having some peace of mind....Nice1

Hey Quirky......Thankyou for helping out with your life experience. It is appreciated more than you know as 70% of the 'Hits' to Beyond Blue are people that choose to 'read' our posts which is beneficial to their mental health and 30% choose to post

Quirky mentioned "I think we sometime over complicate things by giving them a more complicated name than is needed" I hear you loud and clear Quirky.....thus me continually asking people for their thoughts on Mindfulness

I hope everyone has a really good week 🙂

my kind thoughts always

Paul

[alate]

Hi Paul, I’m new around here and have been scrolling around for hours listening to everyone’s different stories. Aren’t we all so incredibly brave to confront and write for the world to see, our deepest and darkest feeling. Just amazing,

I have anxiety’s and fears that have built up over the years and hit me hard in my 20’s. I saw someone else write ‘I am afraid of myself’ and I really think that sums up my metal heath.

But I am trying to get ahold of it, I am learning to mediate (I’m not great but I’m learning) I also use the CALM app which is amazing and full of all sorts of helpful things-I would highly recommend it and the yearly subscription is absolutely worth it. I like to take long walks along the ocean like you said in your earlier post and I also love dancing, nothing fancy just literally moving in ways that feel good to me-an epic playlist helps! I write a lot for myself too, just scribbling down feelings, thought, stories anything.

Anyway I just wanted to share some of my mindfulness techniques too and let who ever is reading this right now know that it’s okay not to be okay x alate

[quirkywords]

Welcome alate to the forum.

I like the way you are learning to meditate and using apps.

I like the way you have long walks, and enjoy dancing.

Thanks for making your first post.

Quirky