Hi everyone, it's Mary Huhne, and welcome back to Everyday Mindfulness. Today, we're talking about something I think is really the heart of this whole series—how mindfulness actually shows up in our daily lives, not just when we're sitting quietly or doing a body scan, but in the middle of all the messy, ordinary stuff. You know, like, when you're at work, and you think you're just answering a couple emails, but suddenly you realize you've been clicking around for twenty minutes and you can't even remember what you were supposed to be doing? Yeah, I've been there. Actually, let me tell you a quick story. Years ago, I was working in a busy office, and I had this habit—I'd open my email, and before I knew it, I was just... mindlessly clicking, not really paying attention. One day, I missed an important message because I was on autopilot, and it ended up costing me a lot of time and, honestly, a bit of embarrassment. That was a wake-up call. I realized I needed to bring some mindful awareness to even these little moments—like, every click, every reply. It's not about being perfect, but just noticing when my mind starts to wander and gently bringing it back. I mean, as we talked about in earlier episodes, mindfulness isn't about judging yourself for drifting off—it's about noticing, and then choosing to come back. So, maybe just ask yourself: where in your daily routine do you notice your mind wandering? Is it when you're driving, or folding laundry, or, like me, checking email? Those are all opportunities to practice. And honestly, when I started doing that, I made fewer mistakes, and I felt less frazzled. It's kind of amazing how these tiny shifts can make a big difference.And, you know, it's not just about getting more done or making fewer errors. When we're really present, even in the small stuff, we start to notice other people more, too. Like, when you're talking to a coworker or a family member, and you're actually listening—not just waiting for your turn to talk. That kind of presence, it builds empathy. People feel seen. And, well, we all want that, don't we?Now, let's talk about the harder part—what happens when mindfulness meets those big, tough emotions. You know, the ones that come up when you're triggered, or scared, or just plain angry. I think this is where a lot of us want to run the other way. I get it. I used to do that, too. But, as we discussed in the last episode, naming what we feel is the first step. The next step is learning to sit with those feelings, without judging them or ourselves. It's not easy. Sometimes, when something sets me off, I have to pause and ask myself, "Okay, Mary, what are you telling yourself right now? Is that really true, or is it just fear talking?" Most of the time, it's fear. Or shame. Or some old story from my childhood that isn't even true anymore.I remember working with a client who struggled with OCD behaviors. For her, those rituals were a way to avoid uncomfortable feelings. Through mindfulness, she started to notice the urge to do those things, and instead of reacting automatically, she learned to just sit with the discomfort—even if it was just for a few seconds at first. Over time, she realized she could survive those feelings, and they didn't have to control her. It's not about making the feelings go away, but about responding instead of reacting. And, you know, when we do that, we start to heal the relationships that trigger those feelings in the first place. We can reframe those negative thoughts—like, instead of "I'm a failure," maybe it's "I'm struggling right now, and that's okay." It's a small shift, but it changes everything.So, where does all this lead? For me, mindfulness has been a way to uncover my own personal truths—beyond all the old stories I used to tell myself. I mean, growing up, I had a lot of painful memories, and for a long time, I tried to push them away. But when I finally learned to accept those memories without judgment, it opened the door to real self-compassion. And, honestly, it made me a better counselor, too. I could connect more deeply with my clients, because I wasn't hiding from my own pain anymore.Mindfulness isn't just about emotions, either. It touches every part of our lives—spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual. When we bring mindful attention to each of these areas, we start to see what's really true for us, not just what we've been told or what we've always believed. It's about telling ourselves the truth, even when it's hard. And, you know, that's where real growth happens.Alright, that's all for today. Thanks for joining me on this journey. Remember, mindfulness is a practice—it's not about getting it right every time. Just keep showing up for yourself, one moment at a time. I'll see you next time, and we'll keep exploring together.

Episodes

Mindfulness in Action