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Aging with Anxiety: My Attempts at Mindfulness...

9/13/2019

36 Comments

 
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As you probably know, there is a movement that encourages people to be more mindful in life.

I would see the books and articles and podcasts and breezily think, “how nice” as I continued with my fast pace. I didn’t want to slow down. I liked moving and getting things done and accomplishing things. It felt so satisfying.

Until I realized I was feeding my anxiety because I was doing too much at the same time. I was having a hard time relaxing and calming the rush of thoughts swarming in my mind.  So, I took a closer look at what it means to be mindful. Please know I’m not an expert on the topic – far from it. But what I have learned is the importance of single tasking and focusing wholly on the task.

It has been incredibly hard. At first, I hated it. And I still struggle.

​I’d wash grapes. I’d focus on how plump they feel in my fingers, and the fresh smell they produced, and the chilly water on my hands, and the soft thumping sound the fruit made as they moved around the bowl.

And then I’d want to go insane.

Seriously. Why just wash grapes when I can wash grapes while listening to a podcast AND the timer for the muffins baking in the oven? Oh, and text a conversation on my phone with my friend Caity.

But I didn’t give up. And while I still do this mindful thing (in my opinion) imperfectly, the point is I’m doing it. And I’m starting to reap the benefits. The pace of my thoughts have become a more manageable beat. And I’m starting to believe that time isn’t always rushing.

I’m not by any means slowing down time, but I’m slowing down my perception of it. And it’s done so much for calming my mind, taking a deep breath, and keeping any anxiety I feel at a more manageable level. 
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Are you successful at being mindful? 
​Do you have any tips you can share? 
36 Comments
erika link
9/11/2019 12:34:14 pm

I recently read about mindfulness in a book and it honestly made me realize that my mind is always racing with a million thoughts. It definitely doesn't help with my anxiety. I'm learning how to take it day by day and task by task instead of overwhelming myself with a bunch of nonsense.

Erika Marie | https://imerikamarie.com

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/12/2019 12:49:13 pm

You are right - just breaking it down to "task by task" is super helpful! (And I can even find that challenging!) Thanks for your comment :)

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Anitra link
9/11/2019 05:00:58 pm

Mindfulness can be helpful in so many ways. For anxiety, stress, focus you name it! I have use mindfulness exercises for awhile now. Glad that you tried somethingtout of your comfort zone.
https://chroniclesofamomtessorian.com

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/12/2019 12:50:04 pm

I didn't realize there were exercises to try. Awesome! I need to look into that....Thanks!

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Britt link
9/11/2019 08:28:35 pm

I struggle with this as well for the same reason - I am the kind of person who is always doing a handful of things at the same time and trying to slow that down just makes me feel SUPER unproductive!

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/12/2019 12:51:22 pm

I agree! I feel that way too. I'm trying to remind myself that I in the long run, I will be better for it. But it's HARD!

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Anita Alig link
9/13/2019 09:22:53 am

I struggle with this too and need to pull myself back to what I'm doing tons of times a day. Thankfully, living mindfully is getting a little easier every day.

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/13/2019 09:54:29 am

Thanks for commenting! I'm glad I'm not the only one that has to pull myself back. And you are right! It does slowly get easier!

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Kelly Martin
9/13/2019 08:11:51 pm

Mindfulness can be helpful, but you’re right, it can drive you insane sometimes! I think the main thing is to focus on positive thoughts when your mind wanders rather than worrying about things.

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/15/2019 01:20:15 am

Positive thoughts are huge! Thanks for the reminder!!!

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Chloé Arnold
9/14/2019 11:06:00 am

I occasionally struggle with this too, so it's nice to read how you manage it!

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/15/2019 01:22:34 am

Thanks for your comment! I don’t feel so alone!

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Norma link
9/14/2019 09:31:45 pm

That is so true! Multitasking and doing too much feels satisfying because we get a lot of things done but it can also increase our anxiety when things do not work out as expected. Mindfulness can be helpful to slow down and enjoy our everyday life.

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/15/2019 03:26:19 am

I guess it's just short term satisfaction, you know? Thanks for commenting :)

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Jam Nesreen link
9/14/2019 10:00:24 pm

I try being mindful in the morning when everyone is still asleep and at night before going to sleep. I like having that calm sesnation because it’s so relaxing. But during the midday, I have a hard time practicing it as I have so much in my mind.

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/15/2019 03:27:24 am

I agree! Even though mid day is when I should be practicing it too!!! Thanks for commenting!

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Joyce Osiango link
9/15/2019 11:50:46 am

I luck the discipline of doing one thing at a time, I want to make sure they are all done at a given time. Its good you've made change my way of thinking, I should start doing thongs one by one www.thecozyme.com

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/17/2019 05:11:22 am

My discipline comes and goes as well! I totally understand. Thanks for commenting!

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Snehal link
9/16/2019 07:56:26 am

I am trying to be more mindful these days. Honestly it is a bit difficult as we all have busy lives, but it does feel good! ☺

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/17/2019 05:12:13 am

You are so right! When I do manage to single task, I feel really great about it!

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live Learn Better link
9/16/2019 08:13:24 am

There are so much we don't know about in this age and time that is beneficial to our mental health.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful tips.

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/17/2019 05:12:43 am

You are welcome! Thanks for leaving a comment!

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Alexandra Christensen link
9/16/2019 09:24:46 am

Okay, this is so funny but true. I love your experience with the grapes!

But seriously, I am new to this mindfulness as well and, really, it's a lifesaver! I live a very stressful, intense life raising special needs kids and I've begun to think if I don't do something I could end up like one of those stroke victims I used to train back when I still had my job. I learned from a wonderful therapist who works with foster and adoptive kids as well as the stressed-out parents who are parenting them and she told me that if I can't afford counseling or if I can't get care for my special needs toddler then learning to practice mindfulness will help. The suggestions she gave me are a bit different than yours but it's still the same principal. And, really, I can feel the results!

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/17/2019 05:14:06 am

Wow! Thanks for your encouragement. That is really inspirational and helpful! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

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Subhashish Roy link
9/16/2019 09:32:02 am

Reading your post so much reminded me of my state of mind couple of months back. I was stressing myself trying to do it all together handling the three professions I am into. Till I decided to dedicate time to each of them avoiding multitasking at the same time. Nice read.

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/17/2019 05:14:50 am

Thanks! I'm glad to hear you've been successful with it. I'll keep working on it too!

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Smita link
9/16/2019 09:52:44 am

This hit home - I'm never doing just one thing, I always have something going in the background - music, TV, or Netflix! This might be why I'm anxious quite a lot too. I'll give being mindful a go.

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/17/2019 05:15:42 am

Thanks! And I still fall into old comfortable patterns...especially NETFLIX! ha ha! Thanks for your comment.

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Erica (The Prepping Wife) link
9/17/2019 06:18:42 am

If I don't practice mindfulness, I get easily overwhelmed and I panic because I literally have a thousand things going on and blog ideas, plus I still have to take time for friends, be a wife, and have a life. I force myself to slow down and do one thing at a time, giving that specific task my all. I also focus on organization, writing things down so I don't forget and setting a schedule. All of that combined means that I can usually handle it. But without serious mindfulness, I couldn't do it. I would just have a meltdown.

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Alyssa link
9/17/2019 06:31:36 am

Excellent reminder to slow down and enjoy the little things.

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Sara Green link
9/17/2019 08:13:52 am

Thank you for sharing this! I have horrible anxiety but never thought of trying this technique. And, I hope that you are finding relief.

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/19/2019 09:38:40 am

Aw Sara! I'm sorry to hear this. I hope you will find comfort in other posts about anxiety I've written. You are not alone!

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Angie link
9/17/2019 11:50:24 am

I struggle so hard with mindfulness. Like you I struggle with accepting my limitations. I want to get EVERYTHING done in my day but sometimes that not a reality. Thanks for this.

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/19/2019 09:39:24 am

Angie - you are SO RIGHT. It's about accepting our limitations. I hadn't looked at it that way!

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Wanderlust Beauty Dreams link
9/18/2019 06:54:32 am

I've been feeling so much anxiety lately and i think it's because I multitask too much and put so much pressure on myself. This was a great reminder to not constantly do this!

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Gina (Love, Auntie) link
9/19/2019 09:39:59 am

Thanks! I think a lot of us are in the same boat together! :) Thanks for the comment!

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