In our everyday hectic and crazy world, it’s hard to be mindful and present in each and every moment. It’s not always easy to fully focus on the task in front of you.
There are so many distractions capturing our attention. There are so many different things popping up every minute, so many alerts, so many new events, news, friend requests, posts, tweets… It’s so easy to get lost in all of them.
Be Fully Present
Mindfulness sometimes requires some effort. It’s not a complicated practice or a way of life, but it’s not always easy.
It requires us to be fully present and aware of the task we are doing and the moment we are in. It requires self-mastery and constant shifting of awareness into the present moment until it becomes our second nature or a new habit in a way.
However, there are some simple tips that can help you in that process. If you apply them, they can help you with your mindfulness practice in everyday life.
“The feeling that any task is a nuisance will soon disappear if it is done in mindfulness.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
#1 Put Your Phone in Airplane or Do Not Disturb Mode
This is an incredibly simple thing to do but not many of us actually do it.
There is this idea of missing out on something. What if something important happens and I don’t see it? What if there’s an emergency? What if this, that, or the other?
I often put my phone in Do Not Disturb mode but I still sometimes have that annoying urge to check it every 10 minutes. However, when you turn off all the alerts, sounds and reminders, even just for 10 minutes, you can be more present in what you are doing and you can more easily focus your attention in the now moment.
#2 Make Time for Important Activities
If there is something important on your to-do list, put it in your schedule and set aside the time for that activity.
Set aside 30 minutes, an hour, or two, and just focus on that one task. Put your phone in Airplane or Do Not Disturb mode and mindfully commit yourself to the task in front of you. If needed, tell everybody what you’re doing and ask them not to disturb you, unless it’s really an emergency. Clarify what constitutes an emergency.
Of course, you will not do this for every little thing you have to do in your day, but something that is truly important to you deserves your undivided attention and mindfulness.
Also, be mindful of how and on what you spend your time in general.
#3 Take a Break From Social Media
Take a day off from social media. If you like it, take a week. Or just decide to log in two times a day for a limited amount of time. Decide when will that be and for how long, and stick to it.
You’ll be surprised how much more time and energy you’ll have for your other activities. You can waste hours on social media without even realizing it.
Chose the mindful approach to social media, and any other similar activity.
#4 Declutter Your Living and Working Space
Space in which you live and work directly reflects on your mind, body, and spirit.
Clutter in your house or office often reflects the clutter in your mind. I know from my own experience that my mood is often reflected in my surroundings and in my living space. But the other way also applies. When I make the effort and change my living environment, my mood also changes.
Clutter can also be an indicator of holding onto the past, of not being able to let go of certain things in your life.
By decluttering your space, and your life, you can live more mindfully and in the present moment.
#5 Declutter Your Digital Space
This can seem like a very trivial idea but it can be life-changing.
Be mindful of your digital space – your computer folders, desktop, your email. Organize your folders so that everything is easily accessible. Organize and clean your desktop and remove all unnecessary things. Handle your emails. Reply, delete, archive or unsubscribe.
You will be able to do things more easily and mindfully if your digital space is uncluttered.
Just Do Your Best
Although these tips are quite simple, they are not always so easy to implement.
Start with one thing. Approach it from a mindful place. Use it as a mindfulness practice. Be fully present in it. In a day or two try another.
See what works for you, what approach is best for your circumstances. Just do your best. Use this tips as an inspiration for your own ideas.
In time, it will get easier and more natural to be mindful in every moment, in every activity.
