Mindful laundry

I think I just did it.

Who’d have thought it?

Mindful laundry…

I wrote the other day about the course I have been doing to help with Emotional Wellbeing. It’s been quite hard and I’ve found lots of the exercises quite depressing. I’m told by the teacher it is not supposed to be easy, but ultimately the skills I gain should make me more mindful.

If, like my husband, you don’t get the word mindfulness then here’s the wiki definition:

Mindfulness is the intentional, accepting and non-judgemental focus of one’s attention on the emotions, thoughts and sensations occurring in the present moment, which can be trained by meditational practices that are described in detail in satipaṭṭhāna.

Put simply, it’s about focusing your attention on what’s happening in the moment.

So, I’ve been trying hard. I’ve stopped shouting and started appreciating more.

One of the exercises I like goes like this:

• Sit or stand calmly with your feet on the floor.
• Breath.
• Notice 3 things you can hear.
• Notice 3 things you can see.
• Notice 3 things you can feel.

(There’s probably more to the exercise. I like to simplify stuff as much as possible for my tiny brain)

Having just hung the washing out I think I found it. A mindful moment.

I stopped for a moment. I felt the sun on my face and the wet grass under my feet. I felt the damp clothes in my hands. I noticed their different sizes and that my children are growing. I noticed the amazing colours in the trees and heard the breeze moving its branches. I heard the kids in the distance playing at the school, and the birds happy in the sunshine.

I appreciated everything. I felt happy.

I did not notice the stains on the washing, the holes in the socks, and the general state of the garden. I did not criticise myself for my poor household skills, the length of the grass or the jobs I keep putting off.

I just felt content, safe, connected and peaceful.

 

Read more about the journey.

 

 

 

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