In the Work of Change (27 December post) suggestions 1 - 10 are basically about becoming aware and mindful in our lives. We can't change what we don't acknowledge.
For me, learning to listen to myself and my emotions, rather than stuffing them or running away from them, has been a huge step. Researching and recording things I notice about myself, my interactions and responses; attending workshops and programs designed to help with mental illness; reading; trying different coping tools from aromatherapy to meditation to exercise--all these things help with managing the changes I need to make and re-programming myself.
Practice awareness:
1) Pay attention to your thoughts and learn how to manage them.
2) Notice your anxiety. How and when it surfaces. Learn techniques to manage it.
3) Creating meaning in our lives is critical for everyone, especially creative people. Pay attention to how you create meaning in your life, and try to work more of that into your day-to-day activities. Be aware there will be times of "meaning crises"--when it is difficult to see or understand the meaning of what is happening. Learn how to overcome or live through those moments of meaninglessness and re-inject your life with purpose--however small.
4) Pay attention to your emotions and honour them. Sometimes all you can do is "sit through" the feelings. They will eventually pass, like a cloud passing over the sun.
5) Practice risk assessment and management. Be aware of when you know you will be stressed or anxious and have some strategies in place to cope.
6) Take charge of your attitude. Know that you control how you think or interpret/frame things. Chose how you want to be, how you would like to feel, then work towards that.
Mindfulness Practice:
We hear this recommended over and over again as a tool for managing so many human diseases; but how many of us actually practice mindfulness on a daily basis?
Even when I know meditation helps me--sometimes I forget to practice it until I'm almost jumping out of my skin. Vibrating internally.
Or, I go through periods of time when I practice daily...then my practice drops off again, until I realize I'm in some sort of panic.
One of the things I like about practicing mindfulness, is that there are so many ways of practicing. Meditation comes in so many forms, there are walking meditations, listening meditations, guided meditations.
Meditations where you empty your mind. Meditations where you focus on one thing (a chant, or a candle flame, or a flower). Meditations for all different periods of time--from the duration of a few deep breaths to an hour or more.
Mindfulness can come in eating slowly and enjoying something deeply with gratitude. Looking at a beautiful work of art. Even working on a craft intently.
There are so many ways in which we can create mindfulness in our daily lives. As creative people we can find/create ways to "connect" to that source of peace and gratitude in ways that will keep us engaged and grounded.
For me, learning to listen to myself and my emotions, rather than stuffing them or running away from them, has been a huge step. Researching and recording things I notice about myself, my interactions and responses; attending workshops and programs designed to help with mental illness; reading; trying different coping tools from aromatherapy to meditation to exercise--all these things help with managing the changes I need to make and re-programming myself.
Practice awareness:
1) Pay attention to your thoughts and learn how to manage them.
2) Notice your anxiety. How and when it surfaces. Learn techniques to manage it.
3) Creating meaning in our lives is critical for everyone, especially creative people. Pay attention to how you create meaning in your life, and try to work more of that into your day-to-day activities. Be aware there will be times of "meaning crises"--when it is difficult to see or understand the meaning of what is happening. Learn how to overcome or live through those moments of meaninglessness and re-inject your life with purpose--however small.
4) Pay attention to your emotions and honour them. Sometimes all you can do is "sit through" the feelings. They will eventually pass, like a cloud passing over the sun.
5) Practice risk assessment and management. Be aware of when you know you will be stressed or anxious and have some strategies in place to cope.
6) Take charge of your attitude. Know that you control how you think or interpret/frame things. Chose how you want to be, how you would like to feel, then work towards that.
Mindfulness Practice:
We hear this recommended over and over again as a tool for managing so many human diseases; but how many of us actually practice mindfulness on a daily basis?
Even when I know meditation helps me--sometimes I forget to practice it until I'm almost jumping out of my skin. Vibrating internally.
Or, I go through periods of time when I practice daily...then my practice drops off again, until I realize I'm in some sort of panic.
One of the things I like about practicing mindfulness, is that there are so many ways of practicing. Meditation comes in so many forms, there are walking meditations, listening meditations, guided meditations.
Meditations where you empty your mind. Meditations where you focus on one thing (a chant, or a candle flame, or a flower). Meditations for all different periods of time--from the duration of a few deep breaths to an hour or more.
Mindfulness can come in eating slowly and enjoying something deeply with gratitude. Looking at a beautiful work of art. Even working on a craft intently.
There are so many ways in which we can create mindfulness in our daily lives. As creative people we can find/create ways to "connect" to that source of peace and gratitude in ways that will keep us engaged and grounded.
No comments:
Post a Comment