MINDFULNESS:

The Wellbeing Bench Definition of Mindfulness:

Mindfulness is the internal act of 'sitting down' while the world keeps moving.

It is the conscious choice to let the flow of life’s demands drift past you like water on a canal, so you can finally hear the sound of your own wisdom.

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PAUSE

Mindfulness starts the moment you stop "doing." It is the physical and mental brakes. It’s the transition from being a 'passenger' in your life to sitting on the bench as an 'observer.'

Canalside Tip: "Just as a boat must dock to refuel, you must pause to reclaim your energy."

PRESENCE

Now that you’ve paused, mindfulness is noticing the 'temperature' of your thoughts without trying to change them.

It’s feeling the wood of the bench beneath you and the air on your skin.

Canalside Tip: Watch your thoughts like ripples on the water - notice them, but don't try to catch them.

🦋 have a look at this Short in my PAUSING playlist and please subscribe to my channel

PERSPECTIVE

Since you paused and stayed present, the "mud" in the water has settled.

Mindfulness provides the clarity to see what really matters.

Many of your "stressors" are just passing canalboats, not the destination.

PROCEED

Mindfulness ensures you don't just start running again out of habit.

You step back from the bench with intention.

You choose which direction to walk based on the stillness you found in the pause.

Mindfulness isn't about clearing your mind - it's about clearing a space on the bench for yourself.

See my YouTube channel for videos to evoke calm @canalsidelifecoach

The WellBEING Bench APP for FREE downloads and articles

Practical NLP Grounding Techniques

Is the second video in my playlist "Practical techniques for everyday resilience - with NLP and Canalside Life Coach Anne Brookes"

"Grounding" helps your nervous system calm and reset: vital in today's demanding world, especially if you're dealing with stress.

Reconnect with the present moment: you can focus on your senses, sight, smell, touch, taste, sound

WATCH the video now

- part of the Playlist Practical techniques for everyday resilience with NLP and Canalside Life Coach Anne Brookes

An important part of my 4P Framework, the first P is for PAUSE

READ MORE HERE

💚 PLEASE remember that if you have mental or physical health problem, seek advice from a qualified medical professional.

30 minute Life Coaching Mini Session for £35

Need clarity quickly? Book a focused 30-minute life coaching mini session with Anne Brookes to pause, refocus and plan your next steps.

In response to requests I have made this available for 2026 - perfect for taking a PAUSE for yourself before deciding how to tackle some issues - we make the most of your precious time!

If you’re new to coaching or want a quick boost, this focused 1-to-1 online coaching session will help you figure out what’s going on and what to do next.

Buy your 30 minute Life Coaching Mini Session here

Email or book a time with me for more information and a FREE introduction call

Anne Brookes is the Canalside Life Coach and looks forward to meeting you for tailored online life coaching - qualified and certified as a Life Coach, an NLP Coach and in Time Line Therapy®

canalsidecoach.app © gives space to reflect, boost the positives and achieve your outcomes

and is a trading name of AJBC Ltd Registered in England

ALSO Wraparound Online sessions available - Pre and post session resources and personalised online coaching with Anne - you decide how to use the time!**BESPOKE personal coaching

Working through transitions in life

Written/Human authored by Anne Brookes

Life transitions can feel overwhelming — learn how to make meaning, reframe challenge, and build resilience with practical steps and mindset tools.

🌸

Call it a change, a challenge or whatever else, we all have to cope with transitions in life - whether chosen or not.

Is it possible to feel we have some control? Making meaning in our lives is the key.

How to give meaning to a difficult situation:

A meaning making bridge can be devised, in small steps. Or if you need to, a bigger effort to tackle some fundamentals if you have not had to do that before (or in this particular way)

• acknowledge and accept reality....this can often be the hardest part, be kind to yourself as you work through the ups and downs of your feelings

• look ahead as much as you can

• see the bigger picture or reframe this change as an opportunity, a glimmer of a new future

• imagine, then put together, a new goal or goals, remembering to be realistic - perhaps run it past a trusted friend, or a life coach if you want professional neutrality

• learn to have a balanced view and don't take failure or challenge personally - this is known as a positive mindset and is worth cultivating

• build and maintain resilience....recognise all that you have coped with up until now!

If there are relationship conflicts while you're dealing with a transition, take a look at this article

Using Anne's 4P Framework helps when dealing with Life transitions

Navigate a life transition at any age with Tips and resources from Canalside Life Coach

You can CONTACT me on anne.brookes@canalsidecoach.app OR BOOK A CALL NOW

The little robin

*the little robin with it's black spot eye

hops from spindly leg to spindly leg whilst ducking its head down

*quick peck a bit of fatball fallen from the feeder above - while the sparrows *

are chasing each other on next door's garage roof and nibbling at insects in the mossy tiles

a lone starling forlornly darts about after the robin has spluttered away

then a tiny wren glides by quickly hoovering bits and, in a flash, is gone

Pause for a moment of Wellbeing with Canalside Life coach - see my YouTube Playlist Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLalwYDdQb1ZMypUC68Bwc0ZvZI0RezsBj

canalsidecoach.app ©