30 Day Mindfulness Challenge: Day 15
I’m happy it’s the start of a new week, and a new type of mindfulness to try for the 30 Day Mindfulness Challenge!
This week is all about doing different activities in a mindful way. In other words, paying attention your surroundings, and paying attention to what you’re actually doing.
I’m sure just like me, you do a lot of things on autopilot. This weeks challenge will be to do them while actually paying attention to them.
Today I did what will probably be the hardest one for me. Taking a mindful shower.
That means, instead of the thousands of thoughts that usually race through my head (like what I’m going to do that day, or what I need to accomplish, or coming up with ideas, etc…), I should be thinking about how the water feels as it hits my skin, how I feel refreshed and more awake as I’m showering, etc…
I have to say it was very difficult! I always have too many thoughts going on while I shower. I think about what I want to accomplish that day. I come up with ideas for posts, ideas for what to make for dinner…my mind just races the entire time!
So focusing on the water, on shampooing my hair, on using body wash…that was difficult.
I noticed I would be able to focus on it for a minute or two, and then the thoughts would come again. Then I’d try to let them go, only to have more thoughts come into my head.
I was able to be mindful for a minute or two here and there…but it was not easy!
It was nice not to be thinking of a thousand different things while showering though – when I was able to.
I did notice that it was a little easier to focus once I started on my body wash. I use Bath & Body Works, which have strong scents. Once I was focusing while smelling the body wash, it was a little easier to keep thoughts at bay.
But I can see how being mindful in the shower can help you relax, especially if you do it first thing in the morning before you start your day, or last thing at night before you go to sleep.
I will probably try this again, but after I try some other mindful activities. Try doing something you normally do on “autopilot” mindfully today! See how it works for you.
Enjoy,
