Why the word "mindfulness" doesn't make sense

I was having my morning coffee last Sunday when a random thought entered my mind: How the word mindfulness actually does not make any sense.Hear me out.Mindfulness is defined as the ability to notice what's happening in the present moment, without judgement. Mindfulness is bringing our attention to the now, the present, without any evaluations, analysis whatsover. Mindfulness is about just being in the present. So, that being the definition, how does it make sense for us to discuss about striving to be more "mindful" when the word itself says "mind-full." Mind being full.If the mind is full, it is hard to be present. Don't you agree?It just does not make sense to me.When our minds are full, that is when we can get stressed and heart rate goes up because we are thinking about so many things. Thinking about what we are doing and then million other things that are on our list and perhaps even worrying about what happened last weekend. The mind is so powerful because it can travel to all these places and it can feel so full and overwhelming at times. It is not really being "mindfully" present, is it?However, when the mind is more quiet and serene, we feel present in the moment and we feel more at peace. We are able to be present for what is happening in the moment, with what we are doing and who we might be with.When people talk about meditation, which is one form of mindful practice, they often encourage you to focus on your breath. This helps to avoid your mind to start running to other places as you only focus on inhale - exhale - inhale - exhale as you breathe. These kind of focused practices can help to quiet the mind and get present.What other practices are there that can help bring us to present moment?I have gotten back to boxing in the last two months and why I love this form of movement is because it fully brings you to the present. When the coach tells us the boxing combination we gotta do, I have to connect my mind and body to be able to complete the punch combinations. I am fully present with my body and my mind - just focusing on the combinations given - being in the moment.Afterwards I just find myself so connected within my body and the world. The mind is empty as my tank is empty having left everything that I have within me on that bag. On the other hand, my heart is full, because I did something I profoundly love and enjoy. So, maybe it is not about being mindful, but to find ways for us to calm the mind, to let things out of our system and offload - so we can be more fully present in our lives. For me, it is the boxing bag - so my question for you to ponder on is what could that be for you?So, instead of mindfulness, let's just strive to mind-calmness so we can be more present in our lives. Because when the mind is NOT full, but has space and calm, presence can occur.And presence is life.Life is now.We don't want to miss it.So, here's some ways you can calm, empty and offload your mind to reach more presence in your life.1. Journal your thoughtsThis is the number one practice I vouch for in my workshops. Why? Because when we journal our thoughts down on paper, they are not going to consume our minds. That way we can also get perspective about them by being able to review and see them in front of us, not just think them in our heads.Journaling is especially powerful if you find yourself ruminating on something. Just write it on the paper, so you can leave it there. Journaling before bed is especially great because that way you empty your mind and then you are not going to circle all those thoughts in your head. This way you can actually sleep better, and if need be, you can return to those thoughts in the morning.2. BraindumpThe first one is great for just offloading thoughts and stories that circulate in your mind. This, however, is a great practice for all the things we think we must do and remember.At least once a week, I brain dump everything on paper. I mean everything that I need to do, to remember, what I am thinking, ideas, just name it! I just dump it all down. Honestly, this is a game changer because again, it allows me to see it all in front of me, and I don't need to carry it all in my head. It can get pretty heavy in our heads if we just hold it all there. No wonder we cannot be present, if we have all this stuff in our minds!3. Talk to someone about itSometimes we just need to talk about it to someone to let it out of our heads. Connecting with others in a safe space helps because then we know we are not alone in it and by sharing you share the load of it. This is what More Espresso, Less Depresso women's meetups are about. We come together to offload what we carry in our hearts to lighten the mind and fullfill our heart spaces with togetherness and love. Next one will be in Newington Green, London, on Sunday, June 4th at 12pm!4. Voicenote itSometimes it is helpful for us to just record what we are thinking, but we don't need anyone else to hear it. Might sound silly, but honestly talking it out loud can help you get it out of your system. It is almost like doing a podcast episode, but you just record it for yourself to unpack your thoughts.  Sometimes, we just need to say our thoughst out loud to feel a bit lighter in our minds. So, I hope these easy four tips can help you to be able to empty the mind a bit, feel more present and thus more heartful. I think it is only heartfulness, soulfulness and bellyfullness we must strive for - but with our minds lets just focus on making them a bit lighter. Happy gut, happy heart, happy soul, happy mind.Heartfully,EssiPS: I am holding next Connecting Moment online - 30minutes of journaling and meditation on Sunday June 11th where you can come calm your mind by journaling and meditating with me. Sign up below to get your free seat!

Feeling the noise of the world is getting to you and you need a moment for yourself? You've found the right place.

Life gets busy, but everyone has 30minutes. Connecting Moment is a 30-minute online gathering for where we come together as women to take a moment to connect within ourselves. 

The 30minutes will have a word of intention, and this month it is "grounded." In this 30minutes, our aim is to help you feel more grounded within you and receive any answers from within you need to feel more connected and at peace.In this session, we won't engage with each other much but simply come together to meditate and journal together to give yourself a moment to connect within and hear what needs to heard from within.

Question for connection

How do I feel when I am fully present?Often we don't think about how we do feel, when we are certain way. Journal on a time when you were truly present. Where were you? Were you alone or with someone? How did you feel in your body? What about in your mind? In your heart? In your soul? What emotions did you have then? Once you know what presence feels - then you know to recognise it and be able to know how you can create more of that in your life. 

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