Dear Reader,
As the new month arrives and nature turns to autumn, I find myself reflecting more and more on changes, noticing them, living in the moment, and overall, on mindful presence.
I've always loved autumn, but this September somehow passed by unnoticed. Of course, I know my life has changed, and my focus was elsewhere, but it still bothers me that I wasn't present at the start of these changes—neither in nature nor within myself.
That's why I've decided that this October, I will start practicing mindfulness again. Not only will it benefit me personally, but it will also ensure I don't miss out on the wonderful changes autumn has to offer.
The essence of mindfulness is being in the present moment: observing what we feel, what we think, and what we want right now, in this very second, without judgment. Simply put, mindfulness is about living and existing in the present.
The keyword is existing, because when we think about it, modern life is very much based on action. If we look at our lives outside of work, we can observe how much we do: we rush for the bus, stand in line, sit in traffic, eat at the desk for efficiency, talk on the phone while cooking, or scroll through our phones while watching a movie... The list is endless.
However, with mindfulness, we can learn to exist rather than act. What do I mean by existing? Walking without music, just focusing on the sounds and colors around us. Or sitting on the porch or balcony, enjoying the sunshine and the silence. Feeling the embrace of our loved ones. Simply relaxing in the bath and enjoying the moment.
In essence, existing is about fully experiencing the moment.
Thanks to numerous psychological and neurobiological studies, the positive effects of mindfulness meditation are now well-documented.
To name a few: mindfulness reduces stress, positively alters brainwave activity; it helps with self-acceptance, makes connecting with others easier; it boosts performance by enhancing focus and confidence; it calms, strengthens empathy, relieves pain, boosts the immune system, and even helps in the fight against cancer.
If you've never heard of mindfulness but feel inspired by these lines to start living in the present, you can begin practicing mindful presence for just a few minutes each day.
My personal desire to practice mindfulness comes from wanting to observe both nature's and my own changes, so today, I took a mindful walk.
How did I do it? I walked at a slightly slower pace than usual (I'm always rushing…), at a comfortable tempo, and adjusted my breathing to match it. At the start, I swung my arms a little to relax my shoulders so I wouldn't begin the walk with a stiff posture.
I was lucky to be in nature, where I could observe my surroundings: the blue sky, the fast-moving clouds and their patterns, the shape of the trees, the form of the leaves, and the colors of passing cars. While walking, I also directed my attention to my body, noticing how my feet stepped on the ground, how the weight of my arms pulled them down, and how they moved in sync with my steps. I focused on my posture, on my spine, and lifted my head.
Essentially, I observed everything I saw, every scent I smelled, every sound I heard. I noticed myself as I walked. I was in the moment.
I walked for about 20 minutes, which both calmed and energized me at the same time.
However, walking is just one of the many ways to practice mindfulness. In her book Mindfulness, Corinne Sweet suggests mindfulness exercises for various situations, whether it's handling a work-related argument, putting children to bed, or dealing with criticism.
So, how does this connect to job hunting and career coaching?
Mindfulness can be particularly useful in career counseling, not only helping with interview preparation but also in managing workplace challenges. Job seekers often face stress, lack of confidence, and the uncertainty of the future can be overwhelming. This is where mindfulness comes in: it helps you stay grounded in the present instead of focusing on past failures or future worries.
Practicing mindfulness promotes self-awareness and self-reflection, which are crucial when building a career. When making important decisions in job hunting—whether it's accepting a job offer or participating in an interview—mindfulness can help you see the situation more clearly and better sense what the best step is for you.
Another important aspect is improving communication. By practicing mindfulness, we become better listeners, whether in an interview or while building workplace relationships. This enhances empathy and conflict-resolution skills. As a result, throughout the career-building process, you'll make more conscious, focused, and effective decisions, leading to more successful outcomes in the long run.
In summary, mindfulness not only has a positive impact on everyday life but also helps you become calmer, more confident, and more mindful during the job search and career-building process, giving you a better chance at a successful career.
If you're interested in my work, you can find various content under "karriering" on major social media platforms, and you can count on a new blog post here every week.
And if you feel the time for change has come, feel free to book an appointment with me for a free consultation.