Mindfulness is the trending word for our time, but what does it really mean? What does it mean to practice mindfulness?

I want to start my first blog post by discussing my journey and why I started this movement. It was 2011, and I found myself at the lowest point of my life. On the outside, it would seem as I had everything going on. I was married with three kids, a home, a job living the American dream. But on the inside, I was an absolute mess. I had just lost my mother, and I was living in a state of shock. When I was around people, I would put on a brave face and go through the motions, but when I was alone, I would break down. After living in the spiral for years, I knew I had to do something because I couldn’t continue on this path. So I started meditating, and here’s what I learned.

1. Breathe Chile – I mean, I know it sounds simple, but I needed to keep reminding myself to take a minute and breathe. Taking slow deep breaths in and out can help calm the mind and help with focus and clarity.

2. Practice Gratitude – We all want things, which is okay. There is nothing wrong with wanting a big house, nice clothes, and fancy cars. That is a part of life but being mindful of the great things you already have and being grateful for them makes life more enjoyable. While dreaming and working towards that big house, remember the starter home you currently have that will be the investment needed to make the dream a reality. I don’t have it YET, but what do I have now?

3. Be in the moment – Looking back, I now know that I have suffered from anxiety my entire life. When I was younger, I thought I was just being a Virgo, and all Virgos are worrywarts. I even had a nightshirt that told me so. I was constantly worrying about something, and if I didn’t have anything to worry about, I got worried because I must be forgetting something. Now I know that is called anxiety. I still suffer from it, but I constantly have to remind myself to be in the moment. When I’m working out, stop worrying about everything I need to do after my workout. I deserve this time for myself and my health. When I’m eating dinner with my family, stop thinking about when I can put them to bed and take a bath. Enjoy my time with my family now and worry about the bath at bath time. 

4. Get a Planner – Developing a planner routine has saved my sanity. Writing things down helps me to unclutter my mind, and it allows me to calmly work through each task and not be overwhelmed by everything at once. Once I know that I am not going to forget something, I don’t have to worry about it. I’ve developed routines to remind me to take time out to plan my days and also to check the planner frequently.

5. Get more sleep – I suffer from FOMO (Fear of missing out). If I start my night routine at 10 PM for lights out at 11 PM, then I am not living my best life. That is just crazy; not only do I need to take myself to bed, but I also need to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and worry about what I am doing and what is best for me in my life currently.  

Everything I discuss here is something I have used to help me. My ultimate goal is for Breathe Chile to be a movement to help the world through mindfulness, physical fitness, and positive motivation. I hope you will join me on the journey!