Inspire yourself

There are many ways to meditate. In most of our blogposts, we’re focusing on concentration meditation; usually concentrating on the breath. But concentration meditation is just one way to meditate. And while for many people it is the form of meditating that they start with (check out these 5 meditation techniques for beginners), it doesn’t hurt to try and explore some different forms. There is also observation meditation, for example. Recently, I was talking to a guy who has been meditating for years and he offered some very valuable insights about this form of meditation. Observation meditation and separating the experience I have massive ADD so concentrating is always a challenge for me. My friend explained how the ability to focus is like training a muscle; the more often you do it, the better you get at it. And the easier it becomes. There are various ways to practice this, and concentration meditation is just one way. When we started talking about other forms of meditation, he mentioned something that really struck me.  He suggested to focus on the moment, and then try to separate the experience into different parts. Let’s say you’re taking a walk through the woods. Once you feel relaxed, simply observe the present moment. While you’re observing, you’re basically going to ‘organize’ what you are seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, feeling and thinking. A moment of living in the present consists of a wide range of elements that come together in your personal experience; by separating them you may get a better sense of all the different aspects of that moment. Start with what you see. The forest floor, the trees, the leaves, the sky. Then observe the auditory stimuli. Your own footsteps, the birds, the wind, the rustling leaves. Now, what do you smell? And what do you taste? After observing the sensory stimuli, check in on your physical state. How do you feel? And finally, there is your emotional/mental state. What are you thinking? If there any thoughts arising that have nothing to do with your present moment, that’s totally okay. Simply observe the fact that those thoughts are there, and then come back to the present. It can help to mentally ‘point out’ everything you’re observing. If it feels overwhelming, you can try and remove the visual stimuli by simply closing your eyes (only recommended when you’re sitting). If you have some noise cancelling headphones, you can even eliminate auditory stimuli and see how that feels. If you like a challenge, try doing this when you’re in the company of other people.  Final thoughts You know how they say that goals are easier to achieve when you break them up into multiple smaller goals? I think it’s the same with observation meditation. There can be so many stimuli in a single moment – separating them may help to stay in the present longer, and make the experience as a whole easier to process.

If you’re working very hard for your career, for example, you may be too tired to after work to accept any invitations. While this is totally okay (‘no’ is a complete sentence that should always be respected!), you should really keep an eye on yourself. Does this happen more often than you’d like? Do you feel like you still have a balance between work and free time? When was the last time you’ve done something fun? If you find yourself rejecting any opportunities to experience new things, you’re basically limiting yourself. You may be maintaining your comfort, but you’re preventing growth. In that case, you should try and push yourself out of your comfort zone every once in a while. And you can do this through mindfulness. How to use mindfulness to get out of your comfort zone Step 1: Reflect and analyse The first step to getting out of your comfort zone through mindfulness, is getting a clear idea of what your comfort zone is. Take the time to reflect and analyse your current life, your behaviour and your habits. It helps to write down what your days look like. Do this for at least three weeks and read back. Do your days basically all look the same? Are there no experiences that stand out? Then it’s safe to say you got a little bit too comfortable. Step 2: Identify your desires/fears Now, try to think of a couple of things that you want. Those could be anything, from wanting to try out a new cuisine to going on a holiday. Then find out what is preventing you from fulfilling those desires. Do you keep postponing having dinner at that fancy new restaurant because you got food poisoning the last time you went somewhere new? Did you not book a holiday because you want to go a little bit further but have a fear of flying? Indeed, the reason that we have certain desires that we can’t seem to fulfil, are often related to personal fears. This is where mindfulness becomes very effective; it helps you to become more aware of your own thoughts, and it makes it easier to see why you have been putting things off. Step 3: Stretch your comfort zone – or get out entirely Now that you are aware of where you tend to stick with what you know, it is time to take action. You want an awesome, fulfilling life with incredible experiences, don’t you? Well then, you need to let go of what is safe and start doing more things that help you grow. It can be difficult, because it often means facing your fears. Instead of avoiding what scares you, move towards it. Go to that new fancy restaurant. Book that trip. Ask that cute person out on a date. Plan that first motorcycle lesson. Get that tattoo. Paint your bedroom in a colour that would give your mom a nervous breakdown. Final thoughts If you always stick with what you know and stay in your comfort zone, it will only lead to regret. Trying out new things will get stagnant energy flowing again, creating wonderful opportunities that you never saw coming and enable you to live a more authentic life. If you find it difficult to let go of your safe space, ask a friend (someone you trust completely) to pull you out of your comfort zone every once in a while. Sometimes you just have to grab someone’s hand and see where they take you. 

While it’s slowly becoming more accepted to postpone or divert from the traditional ‘family setting’ of a household, getting your own place, just for you alone, seems to become more difficult every year. No wonder, with a serious shortage in housing and mortgages so high that the only way to get a decent place is if you share it with at least six people. Not that there is anything wrong sharing your living space – many people even prefer it. However, living with others comes with its own challenges. It can feel crowded, sometimes even very distracting. This makes it hard to carve out time to get creative, get some journaling done, practise yoga, do some breathing exercises or meditate – all activities that usually work best when you have the time and space to focus on yourself, without anyone disturbing you. But even when you are part of a full house, you can still create a designated space where you can disconnect and just be. Read on to find out how to create your own mindfulness corner at home. Create your own mindfulness corner In order to create your very own mindfulness corner at home, ask yourself these five questions: Who? First you have to ask yourself who will be using your mindfulness corner. You, obviously. But maybe there is someone else in your household who would like to use it as well? If you decide it is going to be a shared space, talk with the other person and lay down some ground rules about how you are going to share the space. Sharing means you also have to agree to some level about what you both consider peaceful. Close your eyes and visualize your perfect mindfulness corner. Write it down, create a mindmap or draw it, and then compare notes. That said… if you don’t feel comfortable sharing this space, be honest about it. Everyone that uses it will have an impact on the energy, so it’s perfectly okay to set boundaries! What? Think of what you want to have in your mindfulness corner. Soft things are always nice: a fluffy rug, a few pillows and a blanket are things that put most of us at ease automatically. Things like candles, incense and music are a nice addition as well, depending on what you like. Maybe you want to hang up a frame with your mantra or something else that inspires you. If you are going to use your corner to do yoga, a mat could be nice – but it’s not essential. I actually started out without a mat, with the intention of getting a really nice one later on, and years later I am still perfectly okay to practise without a mat. If you’re going to be reflecting and journaling, make sure you have a notepad and a pen ready. Art supplies are great if you’re creative. It’s all up to you. When? It may not seem very important when you plan to use your mindfulness corner, but it is if you want to keep yourself accountable. Are you a morning person and can you find enough space in your schedule to add it to your morning routine? That’s great! Others, especially those who work or study outside of the house, may benefit more from an evening routine to unwind from their day. The answer to your ‘When?’ question is extra important when you’re going to be sharing the space, so you can find a way to both use it without disturbing each other. Where? We don’t all have the luxury of dedicating an entire space to mindfulness, in which case you have to work with what you got. Maybe you can use your mindful home office, or there’s a nook or corner that you can use. A spot that gets some sunlight is the best, as it will feel like a natural docking station. In a really busy household, a closet will provide you with the privacy you need – although that’s not ideal for doing yoga, of course. And don’t limit yourself to an indoor space. Maybe there is a big tree or a cosy shed or porch that would actually work perfectly for you. If you pick an outdoor space, find a basket, box or tray where you can store your items and bring them with you whenever you want to retreat. Why? You know why you need a mindfulness corner. But the other members of your household may not. If you want them to respect your space and the time you spend there, explain to them why it is so important to you. Also inform them about the when-aspect, so they know when you will be there and shouldn’t disturb you. Final thoughts Having a mindfulness corner is the perfect way to disconnect from the daily grind, to ground yourself and protect your energy from the chaos around you. But even if you do have a place all for yourself, it can still be worth it to create a little sacred corner – even if it’s just to have a daily reminder to check in with yourself and be present.

22 self-care ideas to try this year #1. Get out for a walk. Try these 7 steps towards a mindful walk. #2. Take a warm bath or shower. Make sure you have your favourite shower oil, loofah or scrub. And stay in for as long as you need to get raisin skin! #3. Order take-out. Pick your favourite restaurant (support your local businesses!) and order whatever you like. Bonus points if they supply you with enough cutlery or chopsticks for two or more people. You can eat the leftovers tomorrow – or see if your friendly neighbour is hungry. #4. Have a good cry. Seriously. Don’t hold back. Get it out of your system. You’ll feel so much lighter afterwards. #5. Try some breathing exercises. If you have no idea where to start, check out these super easy breathing techniques for beginners. #6. Start meditating if you’re not already doing it. Here are 5 meditation techniques for beginners to try. #7. Do yoga. If you’ve never done yoga, look up some beginner videos on YouTube and just give it a try. As long as you never push past your own physical limits, you’ll be fine – even without a ‘physical’ teacher (if you want to get serious, eventually, you should definitely find a yoga teacher once they get permission to teach classes again. But as long as that is not an option, take cue from the online experts). #8. Wash your bedsheets. You should do this regularly, of course. Sleep hygiene is important! But this time, be extra mindful about it. Air out that mattress, stuff up those pillows, take out your fanciest sheets. And be sure to take a shower before you go to bed that night. There is nothing like being all clean and crawling under your clean sheets! #9. Give yourself a compliment. Having a hard time? Get inspired by these 5 phrases to tell yourself in the mirror. #10. Watch one of your guilty pleasures. Can you think of a tv show or movie others would ridicule you for watching? Go watch that. And don’t feel guilty about it! #11. Embrace JOMO. If you sometimes feel the Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO), try to convert this into a more positive state of mind. This is what I’d like to call the Joy Of Missing Out (JOMO). Belief me, you can genuinely enjoy your alone time once you no longer need constant validation from others. #12. Discover how nice silence can be. Here’s why intermittent silence may be the perfect way to meditate for you. #13. Deactivate your social media account. You don’t have to delete it, of course. Just deactivate it for a day. Or two. And see how that feels. #14. Write someone a letter. Chances are it’s been a while since the last time you’ve done that. Pick a person you’re missing right now, or someone you’ve been meaning to contact for a while but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar – just start writing, and write from the heart. You’ll be amazed at how this also helps you to process events! That said, don’t forget to actually send the letter. #15. Infuse your home with a little Feng Shui. Here’s how to use Feng Shui as a path to mindfulness. #16. Listen to music. What kind of music, you ask? Whatever hits you right in the feels! #17. Dance. Does your playlist happen to contain some upbeat songs? Get off the sofa and start dancing like nobody’s watching! Your cat/dog won’t judge you. Promise. #18. Sing. This is my favourite thing to do in the car, because for some reason it has the best acoustics. But you can sing anywhere you like! #19. Play with a pet. If you don’t have one of your own, visit a friend who does, or go to a cat café. You can also consider volunteering at your local animal shelter. They can always use an extra pair of hands. And you get to feel the love and healing vibes of dozens of pets. #20. Slow down. Check out 10 ways to slow down and enjoy the present moment. #21. Get out of your comfort zone. The idea of getting out of your comfort zone may seem a little out of place here. But trust me on this one! By doing something you’re scared of, or something you wouldn’t normally do, you’re creating space for yourself to grow. You’re also building resilience, which will help you deal with any setbacks you get to face in your life. If you’re having trouble, ask a trusted friend to pull you out of your comfort zone. I recently did this, and he came through. I have no regrets! #22. Treat yourself. Shop our The Watch Now models and pick your favourite. You really don’t need an excuse to buy yourself a gift. And if you do, consider it an early Valentine’s Day gift.

While for many mindfulness can be somewhat of a vague concept, there are ways to make it less abstract. This is especially true when you use Feng Shui as a path to mindfulness. This ancient Chinese philosophy is not just about where you should place your furniture; it is about energy, intention and awareness. Below, I’ve listed a few easy tips to get you started. How to use Feng Shui to live a more mindful life   #1. Clear the entrance In Feng Shui, the entrance of your home is called the Ming Tang. It is considered an area of transition between the energies outside your house and your personal energy indoors. It is believed that a cluttered, dirty entrance prevents fresh energy and new opportunities from entering your life, and you should therefore always keep your entrance clean and tidy. Does this actually work? Well, there’s a reason I put this one first: I have experienced its effects first hand. Years ago, when I was just starting out as a freelance writer, I didn’t really have a buffer and basically lived from payment to payment. Most of my clients paid on time, but not all of them. Once, I had invested a lot of time in a huge project. I send the client an invoice, but after two months and two reminders they still hadn’t paid me. I tried calling them but the accountant was always unavailable when I called. Since I had put so much time into the project, I didn’t have a lot of other payments coming in that month. I was broke and desperate. In a couple of days I wouldn’t even have any food. Then I read something about stagnant energies and how cleaning your front door can help to “get the flow going again.” I was sceptical but didn’t really have anything to lose, so I went to clean my front door, both inside and outside.  An hour later, when I checked my bank account, the payment had come through. Coincidence? Maybe. But things like these have happened more often after that, so I’m pretty much convinced that it works. #2. Fix anything broken in your home When you ignore broken objects in your home, you set an intention of neglect. Broken appliances, as well as chipped paint, loose floorboards and dead plants, will block the flow of positive energy that surrounds you. Since water represents abundance in Feng Shui, it is believed that leaks (a leaking faucet, for example) will drain your finances. A burned out lightbulb can keep you in the dark about future events. A broken mirror prevents you from seeing clearly, just like dirty windows prevent you from identifying any opportunities that come your way. So when you notice something in your home that requires your attention, don’t procrastinate. If a broken object is not worth repairing, just throw it away. If there is something you can fix, however, you should do it as soon as possible. If you fix what is not working in your home, you can also fix anything broken in other aspects of your life. #3. Create balance with the five elements Feng Shui strives to create harmony in your home by balancing the five elements: water, fire, earth, metal and wood. If you have the feeling that something in your home is off and you can’t really put your finger on it, you may be missing one of the five elements – or have too much of an element. Final thoughts Objects, environments and people all have a tremendous effect on your energy. By taking the time to mindfully observe your home, you can create a space for yourself that welcomes more positivity and abundances into your life. Feng Shui is a very powerful tool to be more present, increase your awareness and create the future that you want for yourself. Even if you’re not fully convinced, let’s be honest: it can’t hurt to give that front door a wipe, right?   Also read: How to create a mindful home office

If you’re an empath like I am, you’re very sensitive to energy. You automatically sense other people’s emotions and their vibes, but also those of spaces. Even when you try to shield yourself from external energies, they will still affect you in some way. It is therefore very important to have a home that is free of negative energies; a safe space where you can always come back to, a place to recharge and feel completely at ease. Aside from physically cleaning your house, it is also a good idea to energetically clear your home. 6 ways to energetically clear your home I recently moved into a new house. The first thing I did when I got the key? I cleaned the entire place. Then I invited over one of my best friends, who happens to be a Cuban reiki practitioner with a lot of knowledge about spiritual and energetic cleansing. He helped me to clear out any residual energies from the previous occupants and transform my new house to a happy home with nothing but positive vibes. Read on to find out how you can energetically clear your home…  #1. Sage or palo santo One of the oldest and most commonly used methods to energetically clear your home is by burning sage or palo santo. Don’t just light a stick and lie down on the sofa, though – if you want it to be effective, you should set an intention while lighting it. Once the stick is lit, slowly make your way through the space while guiding the smoke. Don’t forget to air out the rooms!  #2. African basil This method was new to me, but I’d definitely recommend it. African basil is stronger than regular basil and makes your place smell nice and fresh. It is known as an excellent mosquito repellent and chewing on the leaves is a great way to get rid of bad breath and oral problems. Apparently, the plant also has very powerful cleansing properties; it is said to absorb any negative energies in a space. Take a bunch of fresh branches and put them in a vase or bottle with water. Check on them daily; once the leaves start to welt, throw them away (preferably outside). #3. Coconut My Cuban friend explained to me that one should never enter a new home without bringing a gift. He brought a fresh coconut and placed it on the floor, right by the front door. When he noticed my confused look, he explained that the coconut is able to absorb negativity. He told me to leave the coconut where it was for seven days and not to touch it. When he came back a week later, he took the coconut outside. Once at an adequate distance from the house, he threw it on the ground, splitting it and releasing any absorbed negativity. Apparently splitting the shell is important for this ritual; if it doesn’t split, you have to repeat the ritual with a new coconut. #4. Salt As you may know, salt was and is still used to desinfect a lot of things. It can also be used to energetically clear your home. We used Himalayan salt (the pink stuff) but apparently plain sea salt does the trick as well. Take a handful and slowly walk along the walls of each room, sprinkling a little in every corner and along the entrance of your home. Again, it is most effective when you do this mindfully and with intention. After a day (or longer if it is a new home), sweep up all the salt and throw it away. Be careful when you have pets walking around though; cats may find salt to be a tasty snack, but it is very bad for them! If you’d rather not expose your pets to salt, getting a Himalayan salt lamp is an excellent alternative.   #5. Black tourmaline I already knew about the powerful properties of black tourmaline; I wear a stone on a necklace as a way to absorb negative energy and radiation. But you can also use black tourmaline to energetically clear your home by strategically placing the stones around your house. Do not worry if a stone breaks or falls – this means the black tourmaline was doing its job! #6. Air The last way to energetically clear your home might just be the easiest: just open your windows. Even if you don’t really believe in energetic cleansing or even negative energies for that matter, you can’t deny that letting in some fresh air is a fool proof way to make your house smell and feel better – and a little more like home.   Also check out our tips on how to create a mindful home office!

Oh, we can be so good at fooling ourselves. We tell ourselves we’re so zen because we go to yoga class and meditate every morning. But can you honestly say that when that yoga class is over, you don’t quickly pop on your socks, roll up your mat and hurry out the door? Or that those morning meditation sessions are basically just you killing the two minutes it takes for the coffee maker to finish, after which you gulp down your coffee and storm out so you can catch your train or beat the worst of the morning traffic? Don’t feel bad. We all do it. Present day society puts so much pressure on us, there are simply not enough hours in a day to really stop rushing, right? Well, you better try. Because an ongoing fight against time will never enable you to life a happy and fulfilling life. Below, we’ve listed some tips to help you to stop rushing all the time. How to stop rushing #1. Focus on your breath more often Take mini-breaks throughout your day to focus on your breath. It can be as simple as taking a few seconds to pay attention to each inhale and exhale, after which you proceed with your day. If you think you’ll forget, simply set a reminder on your phone – or use your The Watch NOW. #2. Look around you When we’re rushing from one thing to the next thing, we have a tendency to get tunnel-vision. But you’re not a horse pulling a cart! Open your eyes and look around. Take in your surroundings. You might see things you had never noticed before – or maybe catch the eye of an attractive stranger. #3. Spend more time with kids This may seem contradictory when you have kids of your own (and maybe secretly feel that the attention that they require is part of the reason you’re rushing all the time). But try to follow their lead, even if it’s just for a little while. Kids are anything but time-conscious and not yet aware of the pressures that us grown-ups feel; they’re on their own time and do what they feel like. Let them inspire you. #4. Learn to say no One way to stop rushing all the time is to stop wasting time on things you don’t really want to do. Your time is valuable and you can’t simply buy more from it if you don’t have enough. So take a critical look at the commitments that you’re making. Do you feel like a certain commitment is or would be draining? Then say no. And don’t feel guilty for doing so! You need to protect yourself. #5. Get up earlier Mornings are the time of day when many people feel the most rushed. But the solution is so simple: just get up earlier. Sure, you may be a little bleary-eyed during the first hour, but waking up an hour earlier gives you the time to connect to yourself and do the things you need to do for a calm focus throughout the day. Also check out our tips on how to be more mindful in the morning. #6. Be smarter with your smartphone The activities you do on your smartphone may be consuming more of your precious time than you’re aware of. So instead of endlessly scrolling through Facebook or reading up on the latest celebrity gossip, use your smartphone to be more productive – or simply turn it off. #7. Stop and smell the roses Take a cue from Mac Davis: just stop and smell those roses. You won’t regret it.