“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.”
-Jon Kabat-Zinn
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is about paying attention to what is going on right now (in your mind, your body, your relationships, your environment, etc) and without labeling any of it “good” or “bad.”
It is neither avoidant nor escapist.
What’s the big deal?
“I can feel guilty about the past, Apprehensive about the future, but only in the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.”
-Abraham Maslow
Mindfulness gives each of us the opportunity to figure out what’s actually going on. What are the layers that are adding to life’s difficulty?
Most of us are in too much of a hurry to really stop and look around.
Do you have to meditate to learn mindfulness?
No.
Mindfulness is a skill that people use to focus their attention on the present moment without judgment. You can be mindful without meditating.
Meditation is a formal exercise that sometimes uses mindfulness skills, but there can be meditation without mindfulness.
So, don’t worry if meditation hasn’t worked for you. It’s not necessary for developing mindfulness.
Neurodivergence and Mindfulness
If you’re neurodivergent, you may have heard a lot of great things about mindfulness, but just couldn’t make it work.
Mindfulness is often explained in terms of learning how to shift attention purposefully (like shifting from reading this screen to noticing the time). You may want to learn how to improve this type of mindfulness.
But there’s another way to look at being present, attending, and non-judgmental. It is a way of getting a clear picture of what is going on inside and outside of you in this moment.
This can be very difficult for people who are used to dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It can also be difficult for people who struggle noticing and identifying emotions (alexithymia) and internal sensations (interospection).
Neurodivergence, differing communication styles, differing sensory processing, societal differences, cultural differences, and individual physiology can make some this kind of information either unavailable or unhelpful.
The good news is that mindfulness can be accessible and that mindful meditation (if you wanted to practice) can be adapted to fit different populations and needs.