The first sound I hear comes from the fan. It is mostly a low, monotonous drone. But then there are subtle groans for brief moments when the fan seems to be exerting more effort.
Having awoken to this exact situation numerous times, just YES. This sensory exercise is *definitely* working!
Plus, something like this should honestly help with more than writing. I've been trying to be more mindful of what's going on in the moment, basically by practicing this exercise, so thanks for combining writing with that goal in my inbox this morning! It's always nice to open up my email and see that you've posted :)
Thank you SO much, Olivia. Wow, your comment just made my day 😊
And I strongly agree with this writing practice's applicability to mindfulness as well. However, something I've been struggling with, on this topic: first, I notice or become aware of something, and at this point I am practicing mindfulness, but then I proceed to write what I have noticed or become aware of, and then it seems that I am no longer being mindful of my present sensory experience because I am focused on the writing. You know what I mean? Because of this, it feels like my writing practice encourages my mindfulness in the first place, but then prohibits its deepening. Does that make any sense?
And it does make sense! In order to write what you've realized, you have to switch focus to not lose the words to describe it. But that takes you out of that mindful space and into writing mode. I'm always getting ideas or thinking about something, so it's difficult to stay with that mindful mode so I can jot a note down. (If a really poignant phrase comes to mind, I don't want to lose that by not writing it down! But this also feels a bit counterproductive.)
I'm thinking that more practice or just focusing on the senses for a certain time (a few minutes at a time) might make it easier. Practice makes perfect, or simply just a small dose of sitting quietly? Maybe break the mindful moments into small chunks at first and write down what you've noticed after 5 minutes? That's what I'm attempting, so I guess we'll see if that helps! 😅
"you have to switch focus to not lose the words to describe it. But that takes you out of that mindful space and into writing mode." - Exactly!
And I totally know what you mean about not wanting to lose a thought by not writing it down.
Ohhh, that's a good idea about breaking your mindful moments into chunks. But what if you're on the second minute of the five and then you have a thought to write down? Do you just forget it and hope it comes back to you after the end of the fifth minute? Or do you spend the next three minutes just remembering?
I've definitely done that before, where I'll set a meditation timer, but I'll have a good thought halfway through the allotted time, and then I just end up spending the rest of the time remembering 🤦♂️
That's definitely what I run into with daydreaming, dreaming, and now these mindful exercises. I have a thought, phrase, or story scene come to me and I have to decide whether to stop to write it or continue sleeping or trying to be mindful. But that's also how I've lost multiple phrases or specific story beats, so I'm not sure what's the right option in that moment. I trust I can remember it, but it might be gone by the time I think to write it down if I don't immediately.
Ah, the joys of idea catching and honing your craft! 🥲
Having awoken to this exact situation numerous times, just YES. This sensory exercise is *definitely* working!
Plus, something like this should honestly help with more than writing. I've been trying to be more mindful of what's going on in the moment, basically by practicing this exercise, so thanks for combining writing with that goal in my inbox this morning! It's always nice to open up my email and see that you've posted :)
Thank you SO much, Olivia. Wow, your comment just made my day 😊
And I strongly agree with this writing practice's applicability to mindfulness as well. However, something I've been struggling with, on this topic: first, I notice or become aware of something, and at this point I am practicing mindfulness, but then I proceed to write what I have noticed or become aware of, and then it seems that I am no longer being mindful of my present sensory experience because I am focused on the writing. You know what I mean? Because of this, it feels like my writing practice encourages my mindfulness in the first place, but then prohibits its deepening. Does that make any sense?
Aww, that's wonderful 😄 I'm so glad! 😄
And it does make sense! In order to write what you've realized, you have to switch focus to not lose the words to describe it. But that takes you out of that mindful space and into writing mode. I'm always getting ideas or thinking about something, so it's difficult to stay with that mindful mode so I can jot a note down. (If a really poignant phrase comes to mind, I don't want to lose that by not writing it down! But this also feels a bit counterproductive.)
I'm thinking that more practice or just focusing on the senses for a certain time (a few minutes at a time) might make it easier. Practice makes perfect, or simply just a small dose of sitting quietly? Maybe break the mindful moments into small chunks at first and write down what you've noticed after 5 minutes? That's what I'm attempting, so I guess we'll see if that helps! 😅
"you have to switch focus to not lose the words to describe it. But that takes you out of that mindful space and into writing mode." - Exactly!
And I totally know what you mean about not wanting to lose a thought by not writing it down.
Ohhh, that's a good idea about breaking your mindful moments into chunks. But what if you're on the second minute of the five and then you have a thought to write down? Do you just forget it and hope it comes back to you after the end of the fifth minute? Or do you spend the next three minutes just remembering?
I've definitely done that before, where I'll set a meditation timer, but I'll have a good thought halfway through the allotted time, and then I just end up spending the rest of the time remembering 🤦♂️
Oh man, all good points! I totally get that!
That's definitely what I run into with daydreaming, dreaming, and now these mindful exercises. I have a thought, phrase, or story scene come to me and I have to decide whether to stop to write it or continue sleeping or trying to be mindful. But that's also how I've lost multiple phrases or specific story beats, so I'm not sure what's the right option in that moment. I trust I can remember it, but it might be gone by the time I think to write it down if I don't immediately.
Ah, the joys of idea catching and honing your craft! 🥲