Mindfulness in The Ordinary Moments

Ever get distracted by thoughts while folding laundry or washing dishes? Everyday activities can spark worries about dinner, workouts, or work deadlines, pulling us from the present moment and trapping us in cycles of rumination that remove our focus.

Try a mindfulness approach that uses these ordinary moments to slow down. A present-focused attention allows us to notice our thoughts to increase understanding of our body sensations and feelings in those moments. A non-judgmental approach allows us to situate our thoughts, feelings, and sensations with calm introspection.

Every Sunday afternoon, I take a few moments to water my plants and notice any new growth. I clean away dust and dead leaves with precision and focus on the task at hand. Sure, some nagging thoughts might arise, and I allow them to come as fast as they go with practice and assurance that, at this moment, my plants are my key focus. 

Similarly, I pick and choose a vinyl record to play with equal focus, noticing my mood at that moment and choosing what fits. These ordinary moments can be a springboard to increasing the capacity to be present and mindful. I’m not looking to fully get rid of my thoughts, but approach them with caution and compassion so as not to get carried away with them. 

Meaning, using intentionality in the most mundane of tasks can be a tool for weathering worrying thoughts.

Are you looking for a therapist to speak to about those heavy thoughts? Reach out at martha@marthasegoviacalles.ca to see if I’m a fit for your therapeutic needs.