psychmindfulnessjourneyblog-blog

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This mindfulness journey has not been very easy. However, I know that if I stay consistent with it I will be able to do things I was never able to do before! 

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Take it one day at a time. Taking a moment to just breathe and be present is not easy but it is possible!

Don't give up!, 💕

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One hell of a night?!?!?

Last Friday I got the opportunity to participate in a pub crawl. I meant a bunch of people, I completed crazy tasks and I had a pretty good time! However, the night did not necessarily start on a good note. Let’s begin! My day started out pretty good, in fact, I had cooked myself a very delicious beyond burger meal. I would say, that the first problematic issue began at around 3pm. The pub crawl was being organized by this company. In fact, every “pub crawler” had to wear a specific t-shirt that showed the you were part of their event. The only problem was that I had to pick it up downtown during rush hour. Since, I had access to a vehicle I made an adult decision to drive there. It took every single ounce of my brain to not stress out about the traffic and ruckus that surrounds the By market. While it was stressful, I was able to stay focused and not let my anxiety took control of my car. 

Later that night, I was very close to having a panic attack. I was with only one friend, because the other people in our friend group were stuck on rideau street. For some reason, I had a very big urge, to just leave and go home. The night was still young, it was 9pm. I think that I was longer aware that my friend was there with me and I got scared that she would abandoned me. After a short pep talk in front of coat check. She convinced me to forgot about anyone else. All I had to do was close my eyes and start dancing. A that moment we got asked to do a body shot and my night just kept getting better!

I think that it is easy for me to let my emotions take over my choices. However, in this situation, I got worried for no reason. My friend was there and we were going to meet the others later! The best I ever did was let go and become aware that I am a young girl out on a Friday night just looking to have some fun!

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For anyone that needs to hear this 💙🧡❤️💚💛💜

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Focus on your breathing. An anonymous fear submitted to Deep Dark Fears - thanks!

There are two Deep Dark Fears books out now, collect them both!

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Discussing with Adriana how to use mindfulness and the 7 assertive statement steps to direct a respectful conversation.

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My unhealthy relationship with co-emergence resulting in avoidance and anxiety. Both are negative reactions to co-emerging  external stimulus, bodily feelings, and harmful thoughts

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“Steps of assertive communication are in line with the Co-emergence Model or Reinforcement in its equilibrium state.”

                                                                                -Bruno Cayoun

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Beginning.

I can be very resistant to beginning something new. Procrastination is the word for this and one which has been familiar to me since my early days in the school system. But what exactly is it that makes us avoid that which appears difficult, challenging or simply boring? The three kleshas can help shed light on why we procrastinate. In Buddhism the three kleshas explain that we are driven by three forces: avoidance, craving and ignorance. This commonly looks something like this: we avoid and reject that which is unpleasant and we crave and cling to that which is pleasant. The ignorance piece is that we live our lives constantly governed by these two forces, remaining ignorant of how they control us and perhaps also of what is beyond them. You see the Buddha said that the path forward is a middle way: it is not complete detachment from joy, nor is it a complete indulgence; likewise suffering is unavoidable but there is a better way than being pulled about constantly like a puppet on a string. It is here that mindfulness comes in: where we become able to sit with whichever of these experiences is arising WITHOUT believing it or having our decisions determined by it. So if there is suffering we can sit with it, and if there is joy we can sit with it. In both cases we don’t reject it or try to sustain it. There is wisdom in this because, as another core Buddhist understanding informs us: everything is impermanent. So how does this apply to beginnings? To getting things done even when procrastination is in full force? One step at a time, one breath at a time, and instead of letting the three kleshas lead the way: we can find some enlightened middle way. 

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How to be Mindful in your Daily Life

1. Allow and accept the different feelings you experience – knowing these will change throughout the day.

2. Don’t judge yourself for having negative feelings.

3. Don’t believe every thought that pops into your head. Some of these are true, but many will be false.

4. Slow down and take life at a manageable pace.

5. Stay in the present; do one thing at a time.

6. Let go of the need to control everything.

7. Practise being curious; notice little things.

8. Use your 5 senses to become more aware of what is happening all around you in the world.

9. Nourish and take care of your body and mind.

10. Practice contentment and gratitude.

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