I love the month of September as the fall season kicks off and change begins to occur; a wonderful time of noticing!
September is my birth month and to those September babies…Happy Birthday! Most people welcome September as kids are back in school, weather begins to change, football fills weekend calendars and holidays begin to cross our minds. A welcome change occurs and is highly noticed by all.
September inspires me to write about the action of noticing; a component of mindfulness practice that I have cultivated over many years of practicing yoga and meditation. For many, mindfulness is difficult to embrace; as a psychotherapist I experience the resistance when introducing concepts and benefits to my clients often hearing things like “I’m too impatient to meditate” or “It’s so hard to stay present”
Believe me…I get it!
I gained the ability to practice mindfulness through a consistent yoga practice; rewiring my brain through consistent thoughts and behaviors forming new neural pathways; also referred to as neuroplasticity.
Mindfulness is a skill that takes intention and a willingness to tap into our souls and give our ego a break.
The ego wants to be right, in control and perfectionistic; the soul wants to be present, mindful, and authentic.
Let us dive into the act of mindful noticing…
A BLESSING AND A CURSE
I often say that my ability to notice both my inner and outer world can be a blessing and a curse.
I assume it might take less energy to be oblivious to my surroundings; unaware of those around me, unaffected by trash on the street, or blind to the beautiful red cardinal perched on my fence.
More so…unaware of my thoughts, feelings, and sensations. For me, however, noticing is what connects me to life.
As a psychotherapist, my ability to notice a client’s body language, pain, and disconnect is a blessing; allowing me to connect on a level that assists in healing.
The richness of life is found in noticing; noticing the beauty and the unpleasant.
Noticing improves awareness adding more color and connection to the natural world around us; awareness aids in healing our mind, body, and soul.
I encourage you to look up from your devices and around your environment; noticing color, sounds, aroma, flavors, and texture.
Tap into your five senses for a more grounded you.
SOFTEN YOUR EGO AND CONNECT TO YOUR SOUL
Noticing is a skill that takes intention and a sense of presence; noticing is a challenge when one is consistently in an ego state of self-importance, power, and intolerance.
The simplicity and now orientation of the soul allows for noticing; removing judgement, showing unity, tolerance, and we-importance.
I often encourage clients to soften their egos to allow their true self to shine through; the self that is friendly, humble, loving, and altruistic.
Noticing your experiences without getting lost in them reduces the need to judge or overthink, thereby reducing anxiety and depression.
Accepting our experiences allows us to connect to the present moment; observing rather than controlling outcomes.
Intentionality is key in learning mindfulness; being intentional improves our ability to notice important facets of life around us thereby connecting us to the bigger picture.
It is not all about us!
TIPS FOR IMPROVING MINDFUL NOTICING AND PRESENCE
- Connect to your five senses daily
- Be intentional about noticing leaving out judgement
- Soften the ego and connect with your true self
- Slow down your pace; life is not a race
- Accept experiences without trying to change or overthink them
- Observe somatic sensations with openness and curiosity
- Focus on presence; the past is over and the future is unknown
CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO EMBRACE MINDFUL NOTICING TODAY
- Challenge yourself to NOTICE how you are feeling
- Challenge yourself to not get LOST in how you are feeling
- Challenge yourself to NOTICE your environment
- Challenge yourself to not JUDGE your environment
- Challenge yourself to NOTICE another human being
- Challenge yourself to GIVE kindness to another human being
- Challenge yourself to NOTICE a slower pace
- Challenge yourself to be PRESENT without permission
Mindful noticing is in essence mindfulness practice; a practice that can improve resilience to stress, decrease depression and anxiety, and give us overall satisfaction in our interpersonal and intrapersonal lives.
One of the most common challenges I see in clients who present for therapy is the inability to stay present. You may wonder…why is this so important?
If I could encourage one personal challenge it would be to work on staying in the present moment each day.
When we are in the present moment, we have better focus and less anxiety because we have reduced the to do list; we do not look ahead we just focus on what is in front of us.
What is ahead of us will happen; no need to control.
As you implement mindful noticing, presence will begin to take hold.
Enjoy the beautiful fall weather noticing colors, changing landscape, and changing environments. There is a reason for the season…notice.
Until next time…be well and be present!