Mindfulness Practice

If life came with a remote, most of us would be pressing the “mute” button on certain people, skipping past the awkward bits, and turning the volume way down on Monday mornings. Sadly, no such remote exists.  Instead, we’re left with a lot of things we wish we could control: what people think of us, the weather on braai (BBQ) day, or that one colleague who just won’t stop oversharing. Spoiler alert: we can’t. I saw this simple diagram the other day:  Two circles: 🔘 The outer one says: “Things we CANNOT control.” 🔘 The inner one? “Things we CAN control.” And honestly? It was the gentle slap of truth I didn’t know I needed. We can't control what others say or do, how they feel, or what happened in 2015 that still randomly pops into our minds at 2 a.m. But we can control our reactions. Our words. Our priorities. Our bedtime (even if Netflix disagrees). And our self-talk, because, let’s be honest, that inner critic is often just a drama queen with a loudspeaker. When ...

There are days when I want to put the world on mute. Not pause. Not rewind. Just mute. Like, can everyone just lower their voices, slow down the pace, and stop breathing so loudly for five minutes? You know the days I’m talking about—when the traffic feels personal, your phone won’t stop buzzing, the kettle boils too aggressively, and even your thoughts seem to have a megaphone. It’s like the universe forgot to take its ADHD meds and now I’m stuck in the chaos with no escape plan. So, what do you do when everything is too much? Too noisy, too busy, too everything ? Here’s what I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way. 1. Acknowledge the Overwhelm (Don’t gaslight yourself) First things first: you're not being dramatic. You're not weak. You're not “too sensitive.” You’re human . And this modern world isn’t really built for soft, sensitive, deep-feeling people—especially the ones trying to heal, grow, keep promises to themselves, and not scream at the cashier who forgot the...

In a world that’s louder, faster, and more demanding than ever, Generation Z — those born roughly between 1997 and 2012 — are leading a quiet revolution. While previous generations may have turned to hustle culture or numbed out with distractions, Gen Z is pausing, breathing, and tuning inward. And whether you’re 15 or 55, there’s a lot we can learn from their approach to mindfulness. 1. They’re Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health For Gen Z, talking about anxiety, burnout, or therapy is not taboo — it’s normal. They’re rejecting the idea that struggling makes you weak. Instead, they’re open about their mental health journeys, often sharing them online in a raw, authentic way. Mindfulness is a natural extension of that honesty: it’s about meeting yourself where you are, without judgement. Helpful Resources: Therapy apps and resources Mental health advocacy in Gen Z 2. Mindfulness Is Their Protest Gen Z grew up online. They know better than anyone the toll constant notifi...

  How often do we break promises to ourselves while keeping every commitment we make to others? We say we’ll wake up early, exercise, eat better, or finally start that passion project—yet when life gets busy, those personal commitments are the first to go. I know this because I’ve been struggling with it myself. Lately, I’ve been realising how much it matters. Every time I let myself down, I chip away at my self-trust. I send the message that my own needs and goals don’t matter as much as other people’s. And that’s a pattern I want to change. Why It Matters When we follow through on promises to ourselves—whether small, like drinking more water, or big, like setting boundaries—we prove that we are reliable and worthy of respect. It’s like building a relationship. If someone constantly let you down, you’d stop trusting them, right? The same applies to the relationship I have with myself. Right now, I’m working on rebuilding that trust, one step at a time. The Struggle to Follow T...

Nature has an incredible way of teaching us about resilience, strength, and renewal. The sun rises after every night, never questioning whether it should. The waves crash against the shore, retreat, and return again with unwavering certainty. Trees lose their leaves in autumn, stand bare in winter, yet bloom again in spring. These natural cycles remind us that we, too, can trust in our ability to rise, adapt, and keep going—even in the face of hardship. Embracing Life’s Ebb and Flow Much like the ocean’s tides, life moves in waves. There are moments of calm and clarity, and there are storms that shake us to our core. It’s easy to feel defeated in difficult times, but nature teaches us that nothing stays the same forever. Just as the storm eventually passes, so too will the struggles we face. When we understand that challenges are part of the natural rhythm of life, we begin to approach them differently. Instead of fearing the dark moments, we can learn to accept them as a necessary par...

I have a morning routine that, on paper, sounds like a productivity dream. I wake up, drink a glass of water, make myself a cup of coffee, do a quick 15-minute workout, journal for a bit, and then dive into lesson planning or writing while my mind is still fresh—all before 6 a.m. when I officially start my day. Sounds great, right? A structured, disciplined start to the morning, setting the tone for the rest of the day. But here’s the reality of how today went: I woke up and had my glass of water—so far, so good. But then, I felt too sore and tired to work out. I made my coffee but added milk (at least I skipped the sugar, so small victories?). I’m supposed to be fasting until 8 a.m., which means no milk or sugar, but today, I just couldn’t bring myself to care. Then came journaling. I opened my notebook, pen in hand, ready to reflect, plan, or pour out my thoughts. And all I could think was: Blah. I’m tired. Not exactly the profound insight I was hoping for. So, I jotted down some...

Let’s talk about a new buzzword making waves: glimmers. It’s the softer, more optimistic cousin of triggers. You know, those things that set you off and send you straight to fight-or-flight mode? Glimmers, on the other hand, are all about the good vibes – those small, everyday moments that make you feel calm, safe, or just plain chuffed. What Are Glimmers, Exactly? The term was coined by Deb Dana, a clever clinician specialising in polyvagal theory (fancy science stuff about your nervous system). Glimmers are those fleeting moments of joy or connection – like the smell of a braai wafting through the air, the warmth of the sun on your skin, or even hearing your favourite song on the radio. They’re like mini pick-me-ups for your soul. The Science-y Bit While triggers send your nervous system into overdrive (hello, cortisol!), glimmers work the opposite way. They tap into your parasympathetic nervous system – the one that helps you chill out and feel lekker. When you notice glimmers, you’...

Happy New Year, everyone! It’s that time again—new year, fresh goals, and perhaps the odd existential crisis. Just me? No? Well, this year, instead of committing to the usual resolutions like eating healthier, exercising more, or finally tackling that stack of unread books, I’ve chosen something refreshingly simple, oddly liberating, and slightly cheeky: Let Them. Now, let’s be clear—this isn’t about passively surrendering to others or rolling over for anyone. Far from it. Instead, it’s a practice of stepping back from the exhausting urge to control what others do, say, or think. What Does "Let Them" Actually Mean? Imagine this: you’re in a meeting, mid-sentence, and someone interrupts, steals your idea, and then butchers it. Instead of letting frustration consume you, you think, “Let them. Let them make a fool of themselves.” Or, your perpetually flaky friend cancels plans at the last minute—again. Instead of resenting them, you shrug and think, “Let them flake. More time fo...

We’ve All Been There Moments of frustration, stress, or anger can leave us feeling on edge. While venting might seem like the easiest way to cope, reacting impulsively often leads to regret and strained relationships. So, how do you manage tension constructively? Here are 11 practical and healthy methods to help you stay calm and in control. 1. Tune In to Your Feelings The first step is self-awareness. Suppressing emotions can amplify stress. Pause to identify what you’re feeling—are you angry, anxious, or overwhelmed? By naming your emotions, you gain a sense of control and can address them with clarity. 2. Move Your Body Exercise is a proven stress-buster. Whether it’s a walk, yoga session, or quick household chores, physical activity releases tension and boosts endorphins. Even a short burst of movement can improve your mood significantly. 3. Breathe It Out Stress often disrupts breathing patterns, making them shallow. Restore calm with the 4-7-8 breathing technique: Inhale for 4 se...

Over the last few days, I’ve been thinking about what I want to achieve in 2025. Be more mindful. Eat healthier. Start intermittent fasting. Write more. Read more. Study towards becoming a mental wellness coach. Be a better teacher. Feel more comfortable in my own skin while working on my fitness. But here’s the thing: I’m waiting for Wednesday to start. When I eat a chocolate, I tell myself, “Better eat this now, because from Wednesday, there’s nothing.” Deep down, I know this isn’t the right mindset. So what is? Why Waiting for ‘The Right Time’ Doesn’t Work Like many of us, I’ve fallen into the trap of believing that change needs a grand starting point—a new year, a new week, or even a specific day like your birthday. It feels tidy, doesn’t it? But this “all or nothing” approach often sets us up for failure. The problem with waiting is that it creates a scarcity mindset: the idea that life will suddenly become restrictive or joyless once you begin. Worse still, it suggests that perfe...

  Yesterday, the skies wore a shroud, A veil of sorrow, heavy and proud. Loneliness hummed, soft yet near, Its echo lingered, sharp and clear. But today, sunlight weaves its way, Through broken shadows of yesterday. Peace whispers where pain had been, A quiet bloom that grows within. Each tear that fell became a seed, Pain nurturing beauty’s creed. Now I breathe, with calm inside, Grateful for the ebbing tide. Life unfolds like the ocean's sway, Grief and joy carving its way. Yesterday's shadows softly wane, Leaving the lessons, keeping the gain.