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Mindfulness is a hot topic these days.
But what is mindfulness, exactly?
Mindfulness can be defined as “the intentional, accepting and non-judgmental focus of one’s attention on the emotions and thoughts that are currently arising.”
In other words, mindfulness is being aware of what is going on in your mind and body in the present moment.
For LGBTQ people, mindfulness can be a powerful tool for self-care and healing.
Defining mindfulness
Mindfulness is a state of being that has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years. But what exactly is mindfulness, and what makes it so special?
Some people might argue that it’s a way of living with intention, always being present and fully immersed in the moment.
Others might say that it’s about developing an awareness and appreciation for all the little things in life, from shifting shadows to buzzing flies.
One thing is certain: despite its many definitions, mindfulness remains an elusive concept that can be hard to grasp.
Whether you’re searching for deeper meaning or simply wanting to be more mindful yourself, one thing is clear: this practice is anything but boring!
After all, as the great poet Rumi once said, “Beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”
So remember that even in the midst of confusion and chaos, mindfulness reminds us to take pause and enjoy the little things in life.
Because isn’t that what truly matters?
Benefits of Mindfulness
There are many benefits to practising mindfulness, especially for members of the LGBTQ community.
For starters, mindfulness provides a sense of calm and inner peace, allowing individuals to feel more centred and focused on the present moment.
Studies have shown that mindfulness can help to reduce stress and anxiety in people who may be struggling with their sexual or gender identity.
By clearing out mental space and calming racing thoughts, mindfulness enables individuals to approach difficult situations with clarity and openness, rather than fear or self-doubt.
Finally, mindfulness helps people to cultivate compassion and acceptance for themselves and others, which is especially important for LGBTQ+ individuals who may be facing judgement or discrimination on a daily basis.
In short, mindfulness has the power to enrich the lives of LGBTQ+ people in countless ways, making it an essential practice for those who want to live authentically and fully.
How to be more mindful in your everyday life
To be more mindful in your everyday life, start by focusing on the little things.
Whether that means pausing to notice the colours and textures around you, paying attention to sounds in your environment, or being fully present when engaging with others, these small moments can help you stay grounded and fully engage with your day-to-day activities.
Another great strategy for increasing mindfulness is to devote some time each day to LGBTQ+ focused tasks like reading about queer issues or engaging with LGBTQ+ community groups.
By immersing yourself in LGBTQ+ culture and taking the time to reflect on LGBTQ+ topics, you will open yourself up to a new level of understanding and compassion.
And remember that no matter what obstacles you may face on your journey towards greater mindfulness, there are always people who are eager to support and encourage you along the way.
So why not take the first step today?
Peace, love, and LGBTQ+ solidarity!
Mindfulness exercises you can try
There are many different mindfulness exercises that you can try to help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
For example, if you identify as LGBTQ, you might find it helpful to engage in a meditation focused on acceptance.
This could involve visualising yourself surrounded by supportive people and facing any difficulties or challenges with courage and confidence.
Another mindfulness exercise could involve taking some time every day to simply stop and breathe deeply.
As you focus on the sensations of your breath moving in and out of your body, try to clear your mind of any outside distractions or worries.
Whatever form your mindfulness practice takes, just remember to always be kind and compassionate towards yourself as you explore this important aspect of self-care.
My favourite mindfulness exercises
Some of my favourite mindfulness exercises include walking meditation, bubble breathing, and sensory-awareness exercises.
Walking meditation is a great way to find some peaceful stillness in the midst of your busy day.
You simply walk very slowly with your attention focused on each step and the sensations in your body as you move.
This can help ground you in the present moment and refocus your mind on what’s important.
Bubble breathing is another simple but powerful mindfulness tool.
To practice this exercise, imagine that you’re drawing a smooth, swirling circle in front of you with the breath by visualising a bubble moving through space.
This helps to quiet your mind and create a sense of calm and tranquillity.
Finally, sensory-awareness exercises are a great way to deepen your awareness of the present moment and get in touch with how you’re feeling both physically and emotionally at any given time.
These might involve exploring different textures or sounds, paying attention to changing sensations as you move through different postures or activities, or just tuning into any thoughts or emotions that arise as they come up naturally.
Whether you try one exercise or all three, there’s no doubt that mindfulness can help bring clarity and joy to your daily life!
The history of mindfulness
Mindfulness is an ancient concept, with roots dating back centuries.
Over the years, it has evolved and changed in a variety of ways, shaped by different cultural movements and social justice struggles.
Perhaps one of the most significant developments in the history of mindfulness was its acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community.
As LGBTQ+ individuals began to find their voice and take pride in their identity, they turned to mindfulness as a way of accessing inner peace and healing from trauma.
Today, mindfulness is even more widely embraced by LGBTQ+ people all over the world, and it continues to be an important tool for fostering resilience, self-acceptance, and connection.
So whether you’re LGBTQ+ or not, sign up for that mindfulness class – you never know where it might take you!
Different types of mindfulness meditation
There are a variety of different types of mindfulness meditation, each with its own unique benefits and challenges.
For example, LGBTQ+ individuals may find it beneficial to practice gender-affirming meditation, which helps to reframe gender identity and sexual orientation in a positive light.
Other commonly practised forms of mindfulness meditation include body-scanning, flow state, and mindful walking.
Overall, the key to finding success with mindfulness meditation is to approach it with an open mind and willingness to explore new possibilities. If you’re just starting on your mindfulness journey, you can experience our beginner mindfulness meditations here.
Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just starting out on your mindful journey, there’s sure to be something for everyone in this ever-evolving field of self-reflection and self-exploration.
So what are you waiting for? Dive in today and start experiencing all the amazing benefits that mindfulness has to offer!
Final thoughts
Now that you know more about mindfulness and how it can benefit your life, it’s time to start putting it into practice!
Remember, there is no “right” way to be mindful – so don’t worry if you don’t feel like you are doing it perfectly.
Just give it a try and see how it feels.
There are plenty of resources available online (and we will be sure to share some in future posts!) to help you get started on your journey to mindfulness.
Thanks for reading and we hope this has inspired you to start exploring mindfulness in your own queer lifestyle!
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