Taking easy steps to be more mindful each day
Do you ever notice that your day goes by and you can barely remember what happened? Like what did you have for lunch? Did you even eat lunch? Just like one would turn on autopilot in their car for when they are taking a long road trip. In life we often end up doing the same, we turn on autopilot, we do things without focusing on what’s happening or even thinking about what we are doing. This can lead to feeling like we are just going through the motions, unattached and unaware and looking back wondering why we acted, reacted in that way.
Autopilot can be helpful. For example: getting ready in the morning, healthy habits like brushing teeth and even exercising. It’s helpful to be able to move through some activities without having to be 100% engaged in them. Autopilot is a part of life because we have a finite amount of energy each day and if every task we did we had to focus 100% on…well, let’s just say it would be exhausting.
For the times when your autopilot is taking over too often. Mindfulness can help. Here are three easy ways that you can bring mindfulness into your day-to-day.
1. Pause more throughout the day
Yes, it’s as simple as it sounds. Stop for a moment. A moment without your phone or distractions. Autopilot can often encourage the idea that you can’t stop: “just push through” it says. A simple pause can be a great reminder that it is okay to stop; busy, fast, quick don’t need to be happening all the time.
2. Check in with your feelings
Do you know what you feel? Autopilot often says things like “emotions, bah! You don’t have time for emotions.” A moment to check in with how you feel can help you become more aware of what’s going on inside you. Are you more irritable, anxious, sad, excited? When that information is excluded our reactions can seem confusing because they are fueled by emotions we didn’t know we were having.
3. Reflect at the end of each day
At the end of the day it can be helpful to reflect on one thing that went well and one thing that was “meh, ugh, grr.” Autopilot often assumes that you will keep it on and a reflection can help serve as a reminder that sometimes autopilot needs to be turned off.
Being more mindful doesn’t mean that you need to meditate daily or go to a silent retreat in India. Being more mindful can simply start with taking a little more time each day to slow down and take yourself off autopilot. Autopilot can be helpful but it can also be unhelpful leading to reactions and lack of awareness that can perpetuate meaninglessness. Mindfulness is a great way to challenge this autopilot mode when it is unhelpful.
I look forward to hearing from you and hope this helps you as you take your own powerful and transformative journey. Per usual take what fits for you, leave what does not, and join me next time. Until then let’s stay social 🙂
