In an age where everything moves at a relentless pace, mindful living can be made to feel like an elusive dream, or something ridiculous for the bustling individuals.
For the multi-passionate go-getters, juggling careers, personal pursuits, and a whole myriad of responsibilities, finding moments of peace amidst all the chaos can seem like an unattainable luxury.
But as our demands intensify, the need to integrate mindfulness becomes increasingly necessary.
The pressures of modern day
Our lives today are characterised by a constant influx of information, the pressure to be consistently productive, and an unrelenting commitment to achieving more in less time.
We often find ourselves sacrificing our well-being and quality time for the sake of achievements, success, hustle culture.
The pitfalls of the fast-paced 'hustle culture' lifestyle
The toll of a fast-paced lifestyle can be insidious:
- Burnout;
- Stress; and
- Persisent overwhelm.
It becomes so easy to neglect the very aspects of living that contribute to our well-being - emotional balance, mental clarity, quality time with our loved ones, and a sense of purpose or fuliflment beyond the promotions and pay rises.
Working has suddenly become living, which it shouldn't be.
What is 'mindfulness'?
Mindfulness is a simple yet powerful concept.
It's often associated with sitting still, meditating, breathing deeply and paying attention to your breath.
While this is a way to practice mindfulness, actually being mindful can be a lot simpler, making it easy and more convenient to integrate in daily living. Something as simple as thinking about nothing for just 10 minutes a day is a form of mindfulness!
Why mindfulness matters
When life is so fast-paced, practising mindfulness and taking moments to 'just be' can become lifelines. It offers a way to navigate the chaos in a healthy manner.
Research has consistently shown that practising mindfulness:
- Reduces stress and anxiety
- Reduces risk of distractions
- Boosts working memory
- Increases self-awareness
- Improves focus and concentration
- Boosts productivity
- Boost creativity
- Enhances relationship satisfaction
- Increases overall happiness and well-being
It's not just a buzzword; it's a scientifically validated approach to achieving a more balanced and fulfilling life!
Take it from successful icons you know and love!
And in case you thought the busiest people don't find the time to practise mindfulness, here are some successful CEOs and celebrities who make absolutely sure to integrate this into their routines:
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Kendrick Lamar, rapper and singer-songwriter
"I have to have at least 30 minutes to myself...to just sit back, close my eyes, and absorb what's going on, the space that I'm in…how I'm feeling in the moment. Because if I don't, it's going to zoom by….That 30 minutes helps— I can totally zone out, and not think about my next lyric. It gives me a restart, a jumpstart, and a refresh. It lets me know why I'm here, doing what I'm doing."
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Lady Gaga, actress and singer-songwriter
“Meditation really improves my mental health and reminds me it's important to stay calm so I can feel safe in my body... We are all one body, and the calmer we are, and the more we find inner peace, the more the world will too.”
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Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, author, and television producer
"That way of being ‘still’ with ourselves – coming back to the center and recognizing that something is more important than you – it’s more important than the work you are doing, brings a kind of energy, an intention that we have never had before."
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William Clay Ford Jr, Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company
"The practice of mindfulness kept me going during the darkest days"
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Paul McCartney, musician and singer-songwriter
“In moments of madness, meditation has helped me find moments of serenity — and I would like to think that it would help provide young people a quiet haven in a not-so-quiet world."
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- Ariana Huffington, author and CEO of Thrive Global
"I wish I’d appreciated just how powerful it can be to introduce just five minutes of meditation to your day... You should not compromise balance and self-care for high performance; renewal is part of the process."
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Practising mindfulness doesn't have to be difficult, complicated or inconvenient.
Here are some mindfulness activities you can easily integrate, no matter how fast-paced or chaotic it can be:
- Spend 7 minutes away from your desk
- A short walk around your home or office
- Stretch
- Turn off notifications for 15 minutes
- 5 minutes of deep breathing
- Braindump before you start each day
- Journal
- Doodle
- Reflect on the day before
- Take time to notice the things around you - what's making noises, what colour is on your left, etc.
- Find a creative outlet
Other tools
It can be a struggle to remember to practise mindful living, but it's an even bigger struggle when you tell yourself it's in the way of being productive and you loom yourself with guilt for not responding to that one email.
But what if I told you can stay productive WHILE practising mindfulness?
In this quest for balance and mindfulness, I intentionally designed my 2024 Digital Planner to help multi-passionate, busy go-getters seamlessly integrate mindfulness practices into their productive routines.
From the intentionally minimal design of each template to the inclusion of features like the Daily Kickstart Journal and Reflection sections, I wanted the 2024 Digital Planner to be your companion in your journey towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.
Through the sections in the planning pages, my 2024 Planner will take you through a 3-step process to help you lead a more balanced and mindful lifestyle:
- Dedicating time to yourself through Reflection, Journaling or a Gratitude Log
- Planning your month/week/day for optimum productivity
- Lastly, exercising your right hemisphere and providing a space for self-expression.
As we navigate our fast-paced, unpredictable lives, it's crucial to recognise that the pursuit of mindfulness isn't a luxury; it's a necessity.
Don't just plan your year for success and productivity.
Reclaim your time and embrace moments of peace and purpose.
Shop my 2024 Digital Planner today and take the first step towards a more balanced and mindful tomorrow.
And if you're not ready to commit, I get that!
You might be thinking:
- "I don't know if I'll use all of the pages."
- "I've never used a digital planner before."
- "I prefer working off emails or my calendar."
- "I like to take things day-by-day."
So let's take it one step at a time - one step towards balanced and mindful living is better than no step!
Sign up to my bi-weekly newsletter here for realistic tips and insights on how to lead a more balanced and fulfiling lifestyle.
(P.S. I used to work in a law firm. I would have killed for these tips to keep me sane as I fought daily to meet billables and deadlines... and forgot about my own growth in the process!)