Mindfulness in Real Life: Small Practices That Helped Me Through Difficult Times
article

Mindfulness in Real Life: Small Practices That Helped Me Through Difficult Times

Mindfulness - What I’ve Learned - Not as an Expert, But as Someone Who Needed It I

Published:
Updated:
Type: article

Mindfulness: What I’ve learned - not as an expert, but as someone who needed it.

If you want to watch a short video: see my YouTube channel for Micro Mindfulness 90 seconds to CALM on Monday 9th November 2026

1. Mindfulness vs Meditation

When I first heard about mindfulness, I assumed it meant sitting still, cross-legged, trying to empty my mind.

  • But what I’ve learned—slowly, imperfectly—is that mindfulness and meditation are not the same thing.

Mindfulness is a way of being: noticing what’s happening right now.

  • Meditation is one way of practising that awareness.

You can be mindful while:

  • making a cup of tea

  • walking outside

  • listening to someone attentively

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be done sitting still. It can be part of everyday life, including eating, walking, or interacting with others.

READ this article in Greater Good magazine

Personal reflection

I’m not an expert. I came to this through difficult seasons—ill health, bereavement, and losing work
What surprised me most was this:
I didn’t need to “get it right” for it to help

😊

2. Simple Mindfulness Exercises (Beginner-Friendly)

Here are a few practices I’ve found genuinely helpful—nothing complicated.

a) the “Just One Breath” PAUSE

  • Stop

  • Take one slow breath

  • Notice how it feels

That’s it. No pressure to do more.

b) Mindful Moments in Daily Life

Pick one routine activity:

  • brushing your teeth

  • drinking tea

  • washing up

Pay attention to:

c) the “No judgement noticing” practice

When a thought comes up:

  • don’t push it away

  • don’t analyse it

Just notice:

“Ah, that’s a worried thought.”

I find this creates a bit of space.

Personal reflection

During difficult periods, I couldn’t manage long practices

I could manage 10 seconds of awareness

And sometimes, that was enough

⚖️

3. Benefits of Mindfulness

There’s a lot of hype around mindfulness - it’s important to be aware that there is solid research behind it.

Studies suggest mindfulness can:

  • reduce anxiety and depression

  • improve sleep

  • help people cope with pain

  • support overall wellbeing

  • see NIH News in Health

Research reviews also show it’s linked to:

  • better emotional regulation

  • increased life satisfaction

  • reduced emotional reactivity

  • see PMC

Personal reflection

For me, the biggest benefit hasn’t been becoming calm all the time

It’s been this:

👉 I can notice what I’m feeling without being completely overwhelmed by it

It really makes a difference when life feels hard

🥏

I've written about this HERE

🦆

4. What Mindfulness Is NOT

I think this matters, especially if you’re new to it.

Mindfulness is not:

  • clearing your mind completely

  • always feeling calm

  • doing it “perfectly”

  • fixing everything

Some days it feels helpful
Some days it doesn’t

That’s normal

🎭

5. A Gentle Closing

If you’re curious about mindfulness, you don’t need to change your whole life.

You can start with:

  • one breath

  • one moment

  • one small pause

This is where I started. And I’m still learning.

I’m Anne Brookes - give yourself the 🎁 gift of time for Being You

I'm qualified and certified in 📜 Advanced coaching including TA rescripting, as a Life Coach, an NLP Coach and Practitioner, and in Time Line Therapy®

✴ FREE introduction call: VIDEO or VOICE your choice

PLEASE be mindful that I am not medically trained and cannot advise on any mental or physical health conditions. Please consult a qualified expert if you need help.

← Back to Thoughts

Lets Connect