themindfulnessmagpie

[themindfulnessmagpie]

Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough, especially when it comes to eco-anxiety and the planet. But I realised today that it's because I've normalised the things I already do. Our council don't collect glass, so I travel with it to work for recycling. I sort plastics. I compost. If something means a lot to you, you already are likely doing more than most in that area. You are already doing enough. It's just become routine. Be mindful, take a step back and congratulate yourself for all the things you currently do. #routine #enough #doingenough #ecoanxiety #green #recycling #reuse #fix #planet #mentalhealth #lifestyle #support #action https://www.instagram.com/p/CpuRj03tC6k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

TW: Self-harm . . . So yesterday, 1st March was self-harm awareness day. Which is so important. I, like many, believed self-harm was only cutting yourself. That is was something associated with the emo sub-culture and therefore not me. However, when I was in school and being heavily bullied I would get so anxious and upset I would start scratching myself. I'd scratch the same spot so much it would break the skin, bleed and scab. I believed that if I caused pain on the outside, it would stop the pain inside. Sometimes I felt I was fat and ugly like people said and that I deserved the physical pain. This is also self-harm. So please, reflect on your habits especially when you spiral and if you think you may be self-harming in anyway seek advice, help and support. Thank you @mindoutlgbtq for bringing this awareness day to my attention! #depression #anxiety #selfharm #selfharmrecovery #mentalhealth #triggerwaring #support #help #mind #mentalillness #mentalhealthawareness #hurt #pain https://www.instagram.com/p/CpSQTxktP6U/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

To kick off you building your mental health toolbox, I'm starting by linking back to my blog on the introduction to mindfulness. This blog post will introduce you to the concept of mindfulness, where it came from and its origins in Buddhism. It is a great stepping stone for your own journey into mindfulness should it pique your interest. If not, don't worry - more concepts and ideas to support your wellbeing will be coming soon! (Link to my blog can be found in my bio or below:) https://mindfulmagpie.wixsite.com/mindfulnessmagpie/post/introduction-to-mindfulness Also feel free to subscribe on my site to get emails when new blog posts go live! #blog #mindfulness #mentalhealth #wellbeing #spiritual #website #subscribe #writing #meditation #buddhism #learn #toolbox #reading #support #lifestyle https://www.instagram.com/p/CnhDqXmtd-z/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

We all have bad days, when you have a history of mental health issues the bad days can feel a bit more frequent. However, it's not having the bad days which is the important part, it's how you recover. I've been feel under the weather lately and with my seminars taking place online at home it's really easy to use that as an excuse to languish in the lethargy. So, today, I decided I would take things step by step (build a bridge, or a ladder I've seen some people refer to it as.) I got up, with no energy to get ready yet I focussed on getting food and a hot drink. Then I got a shower, changed into clean clothes and got my materials ready for my seminar today. I now at least feel fresh, full and prepared rather than continuing yesterday's cycle. When things get tough, break it down into your basic needs (food, warmth, cleanliness, comfort). These are often the things which will make you feel the best, quickest. #mentalhealth #mindfulness #depression #anxiety #cycle #lifestyle #needs #comfort #warmth #food #pickyourselfup #buildaladder #workingfromhome #home #support #mind https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl0irFCtWNV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

If you find that you're quite reactive, or angry, a bit of a 'blamer' when you're frustrated then I have a story for you which you can reflect on to find your own meaning. This is a Zen story about an empty boat, that is also referenced in the Taoist poem 'The Empty Boat' by Chuang tzu. A monk is finding it difficult to meditate, so he takes a boat out to a lake with no one around. There he finds peace, serenity and is able to meditate among the calm waters. As he is meditating a boat hits into his with a crash, infuriating the monk. In his anger he yells 'who would crash into me and disturb my meditation?' But when he looks, he finds that the boat is empty. If there was a person in the boat, he would continue to yell but as it is empty and there is no one to blame then he calms. Some gave interpreted this to suggest that the anger we feel is generated by ourselves and not others. Some say we should be more like the empty boats and that in doing so, we will avoid harm as those shouting at us will not cause us grief. What do you take from this story? #mindfulness #meditation #zen #tao #story #parable #philosophy #reflect #thought #meaning #life #empty #wellbeing #mentalhealth #anger #blame #poem #buddhism https://www.instagram.com/p/Clic0rANK9W/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

Eugh, the news has been so depressing lately hasn't it? I'm signed up for BBC emails for updates on headlines every morning mon-fri to keep commercially aware for my fulltime job and even I'm starting to skim read the latest political nightmare. So, it seems we may be heading for another recession in the UK so I just wanted to throw up a post with some advice and having financial wellbeing is also important to our overall welfare. Just focus on you and your household. Manage your finances and budget. Don't worry what the country or the world is doing. Maybe it's a good time to see if you can build a bigger savings pot but do this if it is right for you. You can't carry the economic world on your shoulders like a financial Atlas. There are many people being paid a lot more than us to do just that. So focus on you and your family. 💚 (I've put up a post about how I budget previously if you want to check that out.) PPS. Little picture of my Chinese money plant to give you a bit of extra financial manifestation. #finances #economy #wellbeing #welfare #selfcare #money #recession #spending #financialwellbeing #news #mindfulness #support #reminder #checkingin https://www.instagram.com/p/CkidGHqtRts/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

It was national mental health awareness day yesterday and I usually post something because of the experiences I've been through with my depression and suicide attempt in uni so no one feels alone. However, reflecting this year it's been a weirdly tough one and I've been on overdrive so long I even missed the day I never miss yesterday. There's been a lot going on: Family's health, work, uni/studying, planning a wedding, bullshit drama. Expectations always seem high and I keep going but it's tough. I don't think I'm doing okay but I don't need to talk. It is what it is and I've just got to keep going one day at a time. I'd be a crap mindfulness teacher if I couldn't take this moment to get back on my feet. The good news: I got published in the Yorkshire Post this year and I have the opportunity for another article, people of influence in my career respect me, my friends are awesome and I cut the rubbish from my life, I found a new martial arts family who kick serious ass and make me laugh every week and I still have a roof over my head and food in the cupboards. We gotta remember to take a moment to be grateful for all the good things; we have a default setting for the negative and it can make us spiral. However, if you didn't realise how hard I'm paddling beneath the surface of the water, then please take this as a heads up to check up on your loved ones. It's easy to let things be taken for granted but smiles are easy to fake. Someone might really need you to ask them if they're okay today. (A great friend got me this badge to remind me always exactly who I am. Because hell yeah 🤘) #mentalhealthawareness #depression #mentalhealth #mindfulness #keepon #yougotthis #love #friends #work #life #tough #strength #mind #badass https://www.instagram.com/p/CjlpiVUt3c-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

Last day of the post prompts by @paganpoundshop and it's my favourite Sabbat. I don't follow the wheel of the year but my favourites are Samhain and Yule. I love to have a big feast, gather with friends, get cosy, eat sweets and all that other hygge good stuff. What's your favourite holiday? #witchcraft #witch #hygge #cozy #samhain #yule #halloween #fall #winter #friends #feast #sweets #cozy #sabbat #holidays #christmas https://www.instagram.com/p/CjgYOVwtjaJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

Day 6 of @paganpoundshop post prompts and it's my favourite season. I prefer mild weather so the balance in Spring and Autumn suits me best but my favourite has to be Autumn. The colours, the mushrooms, jumper weather and pumpkin spice! #season #autumn #fall #nature #foraging #mushrooms #woods #pumpkinspice #sweaters #jumpers #tree #fungi #weather #moss #forest #leaves https://www.instagram.com/p/CjcjvGnNRWW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

Day 5 of @paganpoundshop post prompts and it's my favourite altar tool. I don't really have an altar or traditional tools, I don't have a chalice or wand or athame. But, I do have a broom which I love. This was sourced for me by @mystical_moments_slaithwaite and I've had it for over a year now. It sits in my kitchen as a blessing to my home. #kitchenwitch #home #witch #witchcraft #broom #besom #altar #tools #handcrafted #blessing #blessthishouse #kitchen #hearth https://www.instagram.com/p/CjZ0cSdtX3a/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

Day 4 of @paganpoundshop post prompts and it's my favourite deity. This has changed over my lifetime but is currently hecate. I've been leaning more toward the Greek pantheon in my practice and they're fascinating to research. The idea of epithets is a wonderful way to incorporate them into every day life and witchcraft. Being the protector of dogs is one of my favourites! (Kudos to anyone who spots this is not a photo of a statue of Hecate but is actually suggested to be Diana. I'm intrigued by the theory that Hecate could be one of Artemis' epithets.) #deity #witch #witchcraft #greekpantheon #hellenic #artemis #diana #hecate #roman #history #mythology https://www.instagram.com/p/CjXZbgftYNd/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

Day 3 of @paganpoundshop post prompts and it's my favourite flower or plant. I honestly don't have one, I love everything and haven't met a plant yet I really dislike so I made a carousel of 9 pretty plant pictures I've taken for you to enjoy! #flowers #plants #nature #green #greenwitch #mindfulness #peace #moment #garden #wild #environment #bloom #photography #photo #indoorplants https://www.instagram.com/p/CjVMSOStnM2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

So second of @paganpoundshop seven day post prompts is my favourite crystal. This is a tough one, I think we all have our go tos that we work with frequently and that work for particular situations but my gut instinct was it had to be Rose Quartz. Pink, especially soft pink has been a colour I love and suits me (you'll see me wear it a lot!) but I also resonate with the gentle love that radiates from rose quartz. Self love, love of friends and that warm cuddly love. I always try to be empathetic and show this kind of love and care to people first before judging and whilst not always successful it's still a philosophy I live by and hope that I make others feel loved, welcome and supported too. #crystals #rosequartz #favourite #love #romance #selflove #care #witch #witchcraft #gemstones #rocks #warm #safe #cuddly #agape https://www.instagram.com/p/CjSJ1tltBso/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

I slept on this, so much so I missed the initial week and also the Monday I meant to start. So this is @paganpoundshop 7 week post prompts. Starting with my favourite tarot card. Many years ago I won a tarot reading with someone from the Take a Break fate and fortune magazine, I can't remember who, but among many things she said that my card is The Tower. I now agree and it's my favourite card. Perhaps not the most popular interpretation, I see the tower being destroyed but as Tarot is a cyclical story, it gets rebuilt again to be destroyed in the next cycle. Whilst life is a series of peaks and troughs I especially think I've mastered the skill of getting back up again once I've been knocked down. The Tower has an internal strength to it I admire. #tarot #thetower #life #cycles #rebirth #strength #divination #reading #getbackup #fortune #favourite #skill #destruction https://www.instagram.com/p/CjSJCxXtmt5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

I am not a financial advisor, this is just how I manage our household income in order to make sure we're not short and can continue to save. I understand times are hard and that in some circumstances there just isn't enough money in the pot. Cutting down on the things we love to do just so we can heat our house or feed our pets and families is also horrible and if you're in that situation please don't struggle alone. But I hope this might help a little. The government also has a website with a built in budget-tracker and financial advice called Money helper: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en There is also Martin Lewis' advice at Money Saving Expert: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com There are also some basic guides at Barclays: https://barclayslifeskills.com #money #finances #saving #wellbeing #income #personalexperience #wellbeing #budget #moneymanagement #shadowwork #reflection #honest #work #savemoney https://www.instagram.com/p/CjFX8U0tSmp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

I'm not going to lie, I'm finding it hard to muster posts about self-care and wellbeing when our government in the UK is hell-bent on killing the poor. So many people are anxious about turning their heating on right now, instead opting for blankets and hot water bottles. At a time when we're facing colder temperatures earlier than normal, because, climate change. So this advice post is just - Don't vote Tory. Sign every petition you can. Scream your discomfort and pain at any politician you can. Share every injustice you see. And once your throat is too hoarse, then relax with a nice hot cup of tea and meditate for ten minutes on what a beautiful human being you all are 💚 #wellbeing #selfcare #mindfulness #society #politics #anger #rant #thisisnotokay #standup #speakup #fightback #uk #climatechange #energycrisis #foodbanks #petition https://www.instagram.com/p/CjA-iq9tkbS/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[themindfulnessmagpie]

My work/life balance at the moment is totally kaput. But I have been reflecting on my career and how I got here and it's kind of funny. I'm soon to be a solicitor, a prestigious career by many accounts but im still not 100% sure its my dream job or lifetime goal. My whole life people asked me what I wanted to do when I got older. I needed to know so I could do well on my SATS, pick the right GCSEs, A-levels, Degree. I never did. I picked what I enjoyed every time, history, drama, philosophy. It was only when I got to my degree I realised I would need something to make money to live. So I picked one off the list that would evolve well with the skills from my history degree, got some work experience at a law firm and started from there. I'm good at what I do in conveyancing, but it's because, I realise, I put my full authentic self into it. It doesn't matter what job you have really, so long as you do that you're more likely to succeed. (Bruce Lee says this is the key to living too. 🙊) #career #law #work #life #reflection #reflect #mindful #balance #school #university #degree #qualifications #pass #graduation #self #authentic https://www.instagram.com/p/ChCBJYBtM9Y/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=