Struggling to keep up a consistent mindfulness routine? Does it seem like some magical thing only the chosen ones can master? Does it feel too complicated? It doesn’t have to be.

The truth is, it doesn’t take years until you can start reaping the benefits. You don’t have to stop your mind from thinking. You don’t need to have a special zen space. You don’t need a guru to tell you what to do. 

Mindfulness is a lot more simple than people think! It’s all about your mindset. I’m going to tell you about eight simple ways you can approach this wonderful practice so you can create an easy, stress-free mindfulness routine to stick to!

What is mindfulness?

Just before we get into it, let’s define what mindfulness is in the first place. In short, it means being fully aware of what is happening at a particular moment. It’s giving your full attention to the present. No judging, no analyzing, no rushing. It’s a practice that can be incorporated into any aspect of your life.

Here are some simple ways you can do it:

Drop the need to succeed

It’s not about doing it right. Mindfulness is supposed to make your life easier, not more difficult. When you meditate, relax, try to let go of the need to be perfect. We often feel that we’re not improving fast enough. Then we quit because we get disappointed for not living up to our own expectations!

Just play with it, try, fail, then do it again! In reality, mindfulness is a subjective experience. You don’t need to compare yourself to your favorite guru or friend who says that mindfulness has already transformed their life!

Stay active

Not a fan of sitting still? Don’t force yourself to. You don’t need to sit cross-legged in total silence to practice mindfulness. Do you enjoy walking? Cycling? Swimming? Take whatever activity you love and bring mindfulness into it. How? Focus on the present moment.

Next time you go for a walk, leave your phone on silent mode. Better yet, leave it at home. As you’re walking, try to keep your attention on the action. Focus on placing one foot in front of the other. Breathe. Listen to the sounds around you. The same goes for any other engaging activity. It’s all about immersing yourself fully into the now instead of thinking about the conversation you had with that co-worker earlier.

Incorporate mindfulness into daily life

Many people give up on mindfulness practice because they’re too busy. It’s easy getting caught up in daily tasks. It’s tough to find spare time to do nothing. Here’s the great news – you can do it even when you’re brushing your teeth. Or eating. Or having a shower! You can turn mindless tasks into a mindfulness practice!

Similar to my previous point, it’s all about giving that task your undivided attention. Step out of the autopilot mode and try to notice things like, how does it taste? What about the texture? Is it hot? Cold? Take your time. Combining teeth brushing or other repetitive tasks with mindfulness is a great way to get into a consistent mindfulness routine. We do it every single day!

Stop trying to control your thoughts

Contrary to popular belief, mindfulness is not about emptying your mind 100%, or thinking only good thoughts. Thinking is a process that happens, whether we want it or not. Controlling our thoughts is kind of impossible! If you ever tried, you know. They simply come and go. So it’s less about managing and more about observing them.

When you meditate, don’t try to stop thinking. First, become an observer. Notice the kind of thoughts that come. Let go of control. Try to do as little as possible. Your goal here is not to avoid your thoughts. Instead, it’s to acknowledge when they come. Then, let them go.

Harness the power of soothing crystals

Crystals have become a popular tool to enhance mindfulness practices. It’s not surprising, considering they can help with all sorts of complicated things humans face. Letting go of all habits, dealing with fears, overcoming challenges, increasing focus, and more!

Do you think you could benefit from incorporating crystals into your practice? Give it a go! If you don’t know where to start, try citrine for motivation, positivity, and concentration. Reach for selenite stone if you’re trying to reach higher states of consciousness.

Join a meditation group

It can feel strange at first. Sitting in silence with a group of strangers isn’t something we’re used to! However, joining a group that meets regularly to practice mindfulness can be very beneficial, especially if you’re a beginner!

Having like-minded people around you can boost your motivation. You’re more likely to stick to it and form a habit when you’re motivated. On top of that, there’s always someone you can share your experiences with. Plus, there’s just something about shared experiences that feels good. And who knows, maybe you’ll make a friend or two!

Start a journal

Have you ever tried mindful journaling? It’s one of the most effective ways to become aware of what’s happening inside you. It’s super simple! All you need to do is: take a piece of paper, grab a pen, and write. You don’t have to follow any rules or structures.

Simply write whatever comes to mind. Dive into your inner self by putting your thoughts and feelings on a piece of paper. You might be surprised at what comes out! When you go back to what you wrote, don’t judge yourself. It’s not supposed to be amazing writing. It’s supposed to help you notice the chaos that happens inside.

Take it slow

Taking it slow is one of the most underrated tips for starting anything new. Don’t push yourself too hard. Great transformations rarely happen overnight! Mindfulness is all about taking your time to notice what is happening within your body, mind, and surroundings.

Just starting your mindfulness journey? Don’t force yourself to meditate 30 minutes straight every day of the week. The more complex your goal, the harder it will be to achieve it. Start by allocating 5 minutes of your day for meditation, yoga, journaling, or other mindful activity. When you’re ready, gradually increase the time you spend doing it.

After all, mindfulness is not a competition you need to win. It’s a practice you can turn to when you want to slow down, find peace within yourself, and let go of the need to be productive and perfect all the time. It can be challenging at first, but I hope these tips will help you navigate the sea of mindfulness!