Empty Your Mind

Here we are ! 2018 is here and all the classic B.S "New Year, New You" ! Have you been doing a list of unrealistic resolutions you'll drop after just a couple of days (not because you are bad, just because they are unrealistic aka not compatible with your busy life) ? Busted !

Ok let's take a moment and do that properly. Let’s not start the year with putting crazy expectations on your tiny shoulders. First, let’s reflect on 2017 and decide what habits or rituals you manage to fit in your agenda. Did they work do you ? Yes, well let’s take them to 2018. That is already a good start : consistency !

There are actually a few things I want to bring in 2018 with me : my workout routine, my home cooking habits, my focus on having at least 30 minutes a day just for myself... These habits I managed to implement in 2017 are definitely sticking with me and hopefully for a while.

There are also some things I would like to keep working on and improve. One of my biggest challenge in 2017 was to implement meditation into my daily routine. Unfortunately, I have to admit I kinda messed up this one. I have been meditating by phases, on-and-off over the past months but without sticking to a proper routine. Too bad as I really feel the difference when I manage to meditate for a couple of days in a row. I am calmer, more connected to my inner self, happier and feeling more balanced generally speaking. But it just look like meditation is just not working for me on the long go, I can not really stick to it for now.

However, because I know setting my mind and releasing the pressure I put on my control-freak never-stopping brain is a must. I just found different ways that seems to work for me better than seating in a room with lighted candles trying to clear my thoughts.

Meditation requires a lot of practice and commitment and honestly speaking, we are not always on the right mindset for that. Should I blame myself for that ? Shall I give up ? Or should I just make tiny steps towards my goal using something that work for me now. Everyone has it’s on way to empty its mind and spend some quality time with its inner-self. I could be a walk on the beach, in the park. It could be listening to some music. It could be painting, drawing, knitting, running, dancing... Anything as long as you are on your own, away from distractions AND your phone !

I found two activities that seems to work very well for me : one is anything related to Origami, folding papers and following a certain path has crazy calming effects on myself ; the other one, maybe more accessible if you are not an handy person is Adult Coloring books.

Coloring books are just the best, no need to be gifted, no need to put a lot of effort on it, we all did it when we were children. Just get your pencils, clear your mind and color !

This activity has a surprising magic effect on calming me down. My brain is quickly emptying and relaxing. It is so effortless and nice, I sometimes surprise myself coloring for hours.

It might not be yet proper meditation but it is one step closer to my goal. Do not just follow the trend, find something that works for you and just accept you can not turn into a meditation Guru in a couple of days.

Wanna try it out ? Adult colors book are widely available in Book Stores and coloring pencils can be food at any supermarket. So just go for it ! Try it and it might work for you as good as it works for me, allowing you to sneak some mind relaxing time within your routine.

Namaste !

#mindfullness #wellbeing #meditation