march intentions : mindfulness

New month, new blog, new intentions. With spring on the horizon, I'm ready to focus on positive new goals and personal growth. I tend to pile a lot on my plate, but often find myself more drawn to snuggling in my favorite minky with a glass of cab. {{ It's technically still winter after all - so please don't be so judgy of my laziness 😉 }} Like so many of us that try to juggle it all, my list of ideas and to-dos is long and yet continues to expand. 

Since spring symbolizes renewal and a rebirth of sorts, I'd like to launch the practice of intentions. Sort of organize my mindset by setting a mood and vibe for my brain that aligns with my heart. Each month I want to focus my energy into one intention. March’s theme will be Mindfulness. What is that you ask? Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, body, and surrounding environment through a gentle, nurturing lens.

Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them - without believing there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to feel in a given moment. Initially, that seems trivial. Except for the annoying fact that I frequently allow my mind to take flight and veer from the issue at hand. Before I know it I'm fully engrossed in obsessive thoughts about something that just happened or fretting about the future. And frankly, that makes me anxious.

Which is why this month is all about being more conscious with myself, my body and most importantly my mind. I want to focus on appreciating myself and using that mindfulness to go out and nurture and hustle. 

5 ways to cultivate mindfulness this month: 

• let it go :stop dwelling on the negative things that I have no control over. Thoughts aren't facts. Consciously detach from bad energy and open my mind to the possibilities and the beauty that exists around me. 
• more adventuring : go outside and simply enjoy nature. Anyone who knows me understands this will require some serious conscious effort 😂 Fresh air and vitamin D is not only vital for my body, it's good for the soul.
• feel my feelings : since I can be rather sensitive, it's important to slow down and embrace how I'm really feeling. Confronting emotions is often something I bury but can allow me to experience happiness, even if something sad or upsetting happens in the day.
• practice compassion : in brief, I want to be happy and I want others to be happy as well. It's important not to let my empathy get rusty and recognize that everyone around me suffers as well. I want to employ more regular acts of kindness day to day.
• just breathe : sans phone - focus only on deep breathing and consciously inhale and exhale. Mindless of any issues or thoughts. Who knows, maybe I'll even try this during a hot bath with candles. Also something extremely out of my comfort zone!

There are SO MANY benefits to practicing mindfulness - it can boost immune systems, alleviate stress, improve sleep quality, boost self-esteem and so much more! I can't wait to see what impact the deliberate effort has on me this month. 

You are the painter and your life is the palette, choose what you wish to create. Be kind always.

The rest is still unwritten ❤️