Hi everyone!!
If you’ve been following along, you’d know that my mindfulness journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster—ups, downs, and everything in between. But hey, isn’t that just life in a nutshell?
For those who might’ve missed it, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. In this blog, I will summarize the key takeaways from my experience. Think of it as a little roadmap to mindfulness sprinkled with all the lessons I’ve learned.
Week One: Moving Towards Mindfulness
In my very first blog post, I mapped out how I planned to approach this mindfulness journey.
Part I: Researching mindfulness.
I wanted to dive into the history of mindfulness—where it all began—and explore practical strategies for living a more mindful life. This phase included researching the history and scoping out mindfulness apps, podcasts, books, and online resources that could clearly define what the concept truly means.
Part II: Applying mindfulness.
Once I felt I grasped the basics well, I planned to put all that research into practice.
Week one was all about setting the stage and getting excited for the journey ahead. Little did I know how much there was to learn—and how much I’d grow along the way!
Week Two: Stuff You Should Know… About Mindfulness
This week, I explored the history of mindfulness through the podcast Stuff You Should Know.
My biggest takeaway from week two is that mindfulness is more than just being in the moment. It’s not simply about stopping your mind from wandering. True mindfulness means experiencing whatever is happening with equanimity—no judgment, no labels like “good” or “bad.” Things are just simply as they are.
That concept hit me. It’s a small but powerful shift in perspective—embracing moments for what they are without getting caught up in each tiny thought.
This week taught me that mindfulness isn’t about control or perfection; it’s about acceptance and presence.
Week Three: Where Did This Whole “Mindfulness” Thing Come From?
This week, I continued exploring the history of mindfulness, discovering its deep roots. The term “mindfulness” comes from the Buddhist concept of “sati,” meaning “moment-to-moment awareness of present events,” introduced by Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in the fifth century BCE. While it has been practiced for centuries, mindfulness only gained widespread popularity in the West during the 1970s. Learning about its origins gave me a deeper appreciation for this ancient practice and its relevance today.
Week Four: Using the Screen Recording Feature to Explore the Headspace App
This week, I decided to explore the popular mindfulness app Headspace. I walked through the app using the iPhone screen recording feature. Until this week, I had been focusing on the research behind mindfulness. It was an exciting week to explore an app that has so many cool resources all in one place.
Week Five: Mindfulness in the Classroom
This week, I explored the topic of mindfulness in the classroom by reading an article that got me thinking about how I’d incorporate it into my future teaching. It shifted my perspective, emphasizing the importance of understanding the why behind implementing mindfulness practices. This reflection reminded me that mindfulness isn’t just a tool—it’s a purposeful approach to creating a balanced and focused learning environment in which individual students’ needs and preferences should be considered.
Week Six: A Talk from TED on Mindfulness
For week six, I turned to one of my favourite resources—TED Talks. The psychologist in the talk began by outlining the four main challenges humans face and then introduced the four pillars of a healthy mind that are essential for well-being.
Week Seven: Mindful or Mind Full?
Week seven was a bit of a low point in my mindfulness journey. I reflected on the difference between having a mind full of thoughts and simply being mindful, recognizing how easy it is to slip into the other. This week became a much-needed reconnecting point, allowing me to pause, reflect, and refocus on practicing mindfulness intentionally. It was a reminder that mindfulness is a journey, not a destination.
Week Eight: Getting Back on Track with Mindfulness
This week was all about self-reflection and regaining focus on mindfulness. I realized that practicing mindfulness is much easier when I have plenty of time, but it becomes challenging during high-stress moments. This insight inspired me to prioritize slowing down and grounding myself, especially when I noticed my mind beginning to race. It’s a reminder that mindfulness is most valuable during life’s busiest and most overwhelming times.
Week 9: Maybe You Should Take Your Own Advice, Girl
This week brought a much-needed reality check once again. I realized I had been spending too much time focusing on things beyond my control, which drained my energy and prevented me from being mindful. By shifting my focus to what I can control and practicing mindfulness in that space, I’ve felt lighter and more present.
Week 10: Understanding the Thoughts of Middle School Students
For week 10, I decided to dive deeper into mindfulness in the classroom by exploring the thoughts and experiences of middle school students. I watched a YouTube video from the Child Mind Institute, which provided valuable insights into how middle schoolers think and how mindfulness can benefit them. This gave me a better understanding of their challenges and how mindfulness practices can help support their emotional and mental well-being in a school setting.
And… That’s a wrap!! Thanks for tagging along on this journey of mine! However, my journey is not over—it is just beginning! I think being more mindful is a lifelong journey that can’t be measured because it’s constantly evolving.
Hi Morgan, thank you for sharing! I love the photo at the bottom. I completely agree with its meaning. Loved following along this semester. Take care
Mindfulness is something I like to practice myself; it helps keep me centred. Thanks for sharing
Rob