Mindfulness for Beginners

I don’t pretend to be an expert on anything mindfulness-related yet. For now I’m learning and enjoying the journey. Of course I intend to do this my way, but I’m naturally very theoretical, and always want to understand the detail behind things so I invested in this book.

So far, so good. I love to hear other people’s views as well as understanding the theory behind practicing mindfulness. It would appear that it is almost becoming en vogue, something I wasn’t aware of, but will make best use of. Hopefully this will mean lots of information, sharing and understanding of the practice. I will shortly be moving again, finally into my own apartment and I have been researching 8-week mindfulness courses around the area. I think I’ve found the one that fits for me, and I’m looking forward to enrolling and starting to be guided along this journey.

As a useful tool for my mindfulness practise, I also grabbed a copy of the Mindfulness Journal from my favourite stationary store. Their products are so adorable, and they currently have a range devoted to inspiration. This journal is perfect for my ever so slightly nerdy obsession with writing things down, and tracking what’s happening. For this though, I actually think it will be a good thing.

I love the journal - it has pages of meditation information, mindfulness practice and space for your own thoughts. It then splits up into months, to reflect on the month as a whole, as well as space for individual days. I think this is a great set up, allowing yourself to then reflect back on how you've change and progressed over the year.

I really want to get started on an 8-week mindfulness course. I'm really keen on this one from The Mindfulness Project, and this one from The Now Project. Part of me thinks I need to go easy on the courses - I'm already well underway with my Nutritionist Course - but then again, I really enjoy learning things I'm interested in and I think the two go hand in hand.

Just call me Miss Nutritionist

Exciting news!

I've just signed up to complete a Nutritionist Training course; a certified course teaching the role of nutrition in the body. I'm very excited - I'd been thinking a little bit about doing something like this, but hadn't really got around to it yet. My mum told me about one she saw, and when we then looked it up - it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for!

I might be keen on taking this even further, but this course will be a great introduction. It's all online, and providing I pass the final exam, I can wave around my Certificate in Nutrition with pride!

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The company that runs this course, Diet Specialist, are a team of registered dieticians and nutritionists who not only run this course, but also provide individual consultations, business support, seminars and workshops, and health centre services. They have a scientific approach that I completely agree with, helping people to understand health and wellbeing. Here are their six steps:

Detoxify your body
On starting a healthy eating regime, an initial a detox programme cleanses the body from toxins, provides you with energy and helps you feel revitalised and prepares your body for a tailored diet.

Plan a new and effective diet
Having explored your current diet & lifestyle habits, introduce foods that are tailored according to the glycemic index and their pH balance, with an appropriate calorie content and set at suitable portions & frequency.

Tailor your diet to specific needs
Everyone has their own dietary needs hence your diet should be tailored according to food sensitivities, allergies and intolerances, and for all other health conditions.

Increase your metabolism
Measuring your metabolic rate & identifying which foods slow it down, understanding how to increase metabolism and developing a tailored exercise regime.

Incorporate new lifestyle habits
Successful weight loss is often driven by lifestyle changes, we can help with practical tips on shopping, cooking and eating out, psychological tips to change behaviour and dealing with binges and cravings.

Provide tools to understand nutrition
Not only will we help you to lose weight, but we will provide you with tools such as guidance on interpreting food labels, advice on marketing terminology such as low fat, light & no added sugar and knowledge of ingredients such as E-Nos.

I am so excited to get started, I'm really interested in health and making sure my body is strong and well - this seems like a brilliant way to get started! I will be keeping you posted!

Psychologies

I love reading. Books, yes but magazines also. I've seen Psychologies a few times before, but I never really stopped to look at what it was. This time though, the headline grabbed my attention; Be Happier in 2015. I flicked through and decided to buy it, because it seemed to feature a lot of things I either agreed with, or wanted to learn more about.

The cover story, focusing on happiness, and the perception of happiness was such an interesting read. I think they are correct in suggesting that the stories we think should make us happy often belong to someone else. It's this idea of what is right, what is the best, and what life should be that can get in the way of what people really want. Their best suggestion was to identify the things that make you happy and build them into your routine - even if it's things as small as a favourite TV programme or talking to one of your friends.

It's interesting to think about the fact that other emotions can make you happy - ambition and purpose might not feel particularly joyful on a daily basis but if it's a long term drive then clearly it works for some people. It's not necessarily about smiling all day every day, but finding out what you want and what puts you in a positive mood. Even before reading this I believed that self discovery and identity is crucial; and making sure that it works for you.

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I wanted to share one of Psychologies' brilliant ideas, mainly because I think it would truly work, but also because I think the example they have used would work on me, and I intend to give it a try. Once again it's about building the things that make you happy into your life in some, small ways. Here's the suggestion when it's novels & reading that makes you tick...

• Put books in every room in your house
• Set your web browser to GoodReads.com
• Make a date to go to a literary event with a friend who shares your love of reading once a month
• Join a facebook book club.

I'm going to do these, as well as think of some others related to my other interests, and look forward to reporting back on how well it's working out.

Reading this turned out to be the perfect activity for a Sunday afternoon. I had a cup of herbal tea and zoned into this beautiful Tibetan healing music, and felt ready and calmed for the week ahead.

I think I'd decided to make Psychologies a permanent fixture as soon as I'd read the editor's letter. She seemed to echo everything I want my year/life/blog to represent.

"I want to focus on being happy in the now. That means focusing on the details, to create a daily routine that supports me, to be more present, love more, obsess less, and, of course, eat good food with people I adore."                          - Suzy Greaves 

My new abode

I’ve been in London for a couple of months and am now finally about to get settled in my new apartment. It’s such perfect timing for me to start my 2015 goals with a lovely new environment that’s just mine (well, and my flat mates!). I’ve been staying with family and it’s been brilliant, but it will be great to get back to what I am used to, have my own space, and do what I want with it.

My home, and my room are really important to me. I need them to be perfect and warming, because I love spending time there. I intend to get hold of a couple of things to make my new place my own, and to make sure it reflects my journey.

I’ve put together a wish list, and what I hope is a realistic one. There’s not much point on me planning to spend lots of time and money that I don’t have. I adore all the items below, and I plan to grab myself at least a few of these before I move in!

1. Belledorm Duvet Cover Set - I love white bedding. Now that I've seen that the room already has a pale bedframe and colour scheme, it will fit perfectly!
2. Vintage Collection Candle Holder - Candles in my room are a must have - this holder is pretty and minimalist. 
3. Nordic House White Mirror - I really like this company and the Nordic style. Probably from spending too much time around this lovely lady!
4. Paris map print - Probably my favourite place in the world. Can't have enough reminders or memories of this beautiful city. Looking forward to being back there later this year.
5. Glass Jewellery Box - I keep all my jewellery in its original box, but I tend to wear the same two or three things every day and then just leave them out on the side. The day I almost lost a diamond earring from my mum made me realise I needed something like this.
6. She Believed Cushion - Scatter cushions look so pretty on the bed, especially if it's a neutral colour underneath. I loved this quote.
7. Space.NK Healing Candle - A scented candle or two is a must have. I love that this is a healing candle that brings passion and happiness.
8. Safe Travels Buddha Incense Holder - I've burned incense for a long time and fancy an updated holder. This takes me back to my Hong Kong trip in October!
9. Stripe Bedspread - Again, the simplicity of a neutral room means pretty accessories. Being cozy in bed is a must.


I'll be sure to share when I'm all moved in!

This will be my year?

A good friend once told me; if something still makes you happy, keep doing it. If it doesn’t just stop it – you are in control. Pretty obvious I know, but not something I always consider when I should. I think that as well as there being some things I do now, that I need to revisit and stop or change for the long term, there are some other things I need to start thinking seriously about, to make sure that I can safely say, yes they do make me happy. Perhaps I’ve hit the nail on the head for step one to the happiest life! To me, that statement really is as simple as that. 

More than a year ago I posted this picture on a social media site. Whilst I agree wholeheartedly with it, I haven’t really done a lot since to make any of this happen, or to follow these sentiments as much as I can. I think 2015 is my year to do this, and so I begin. 

Lately for me, it’s been about having clarity of mind and time to reflect, rather than specifically health and fitness; although of course the two go hand in hand. It’s obvious to me I need to write down some clear goals, as currently I have an idea of where I want to be, but not exactly how to get there and what is needed. 

My world for the last 2 years has been a hectic whirlwind of a full time, high-pressure job, 4 relocations within the UK, and an uprooting of life, pattern, and relationships as a result. That’s not to say I don’t love what I do, but now that London is my home for probably at least a year, I can begin to get a sense of normality, a routine and some clear and focused time to get my plan of 2015 into action. Hopefully after this year it won’t need to be something I even consciously think about. 

For now at least, the professional daily routine I currently have will need to stay, and as a result of a number of things I don’t feel particularly energised or motivated to do a lot else at the end of my day. I can’t blame my job for this, I don’t work particularly long hours, and soon I will be only about a 20 minute commute from home. I hold my attitude, habits and lack of motivation responsible for this, and I already have some ideas to put into practice in order to change this. 

A routine doesn’t have to be boring, and I’m really excited about starting mine. I’ve always been extremely organised, but like I mentioned, I’ve been having trouble putting this into practice from a health and wellbeing perspective until now. I’ve always dipped in and out of trying to be fit and healthy and can actually say that moving around so much has been responsible for them not sticking. That, and not really having a plan or goal; or focusing too much on what type of path I ‘should’ be following. I know now I just need to do what is right for me, and take care of myself; mind and body. 

I do have so many ideas and plans for the coming year and beyond that could throw a spanner in the works for my 2015 plan, but I’m going to find ways to fit these in, and enhance my path rather than restrict it. Things like travel, changing job, possibly even moving (again!) abroad may come to pass – but if they do I will know how to carry on and factor them in with success!