‘As a uni student, mindfulness is teaching me to sit with discomfort and to notice stress.
As a netballer it allows me to notice frustration, let it pass and focus on the
next passage of play. Most of all, as a family member and friend,
mindfulness has taught me to pause before responding and to choose patience
over premature problem-solving.’
(Erin, Aberystwyth University student)
Erin is studying Welsh at Aberystwyth University and has taken several mindfulness-based courses over the last year via the lifelong learning department.
This has been her first foray into mindfulness introducing her to the practice of being truly present and aware in all that she is doing. In her first year of practice, Erin has gone through periods of finding it hard to concentrate, but through perseverance and self-belief she has managed to stay on track and is noticing subtle but definite changes. These include feelings of increased calm, more ability to be focussed and a heightened capacity for self-compassion. Erin’s parents and boyfriend have also noticed changes in her.
‘Slowly yet steadily, mindfulness has turned moments into opportunities for
reflection, connection and growth.’
Erin typically applies mindfulness in her life through on the spot micro practices such as conscious breathing, daily quality time connecting with nature, and pausing in connections with others, so that she can bring curiosity to any reactions or challenges. She is finding that her practice is gently reshaping how she approaches working on essays, competing in sport and relaxing with loved ones. By staying present to her experience, Erin is much more aware of how her mind and body respond to stress.
‘Mindfulness has been a grounding presence in the many roles that I juggle,
and has allowed me to reconnect with myself in more intentional and
compassionate ways.’
Her capacity to stay present in difficult moments is growing. Receiving constructive feedback has historically been a challenging area for Erin, but by bringing an intention to receive it with an open mind she is more able to stay curious as to what she can learn, and how she can grow. This is reducing her defensiveness and increasing her feeling of being whole. Rather than being limited by her reactions, she now feels genuinely interested in what others may be sharing with her. She also feels more able to respect her own limits and set boundaries when she needs to have time to recharge.
Erin is also informally sharing what she has learned with friends and family. She has introduced mindful check-ins with close ones, using simple open questions such as ‘how have things been for you in this last month?’ to encourage everyone to take time to pause and listen more deeply to each other. As a result, her connections are deepening, becoming more genuine and grounded and she is feeling more able to be open and vulnerable inside these intimate connections.
‘Asking yourself how you are is one of the simplest yet most powerful acts
of mindfulness, and I believe that everyone should try it – remember to be kind
to yourselves as well as others.’
Going forwards Erin hopes that the importance of mindfulness is recognised in all environments. She firmly believes that everyone should receive the opportunity for their wellbeing to be supported and acknowledged and knows first-hand that mindfulness offers a pause in a world that often feels rushed and overwhelming. Her contribution to this is going to be suggesting to close friends to begin Sunday night reflections and gratitude texts. Erin hopes that this can be a way of developing self-awareness and emotional regulation, by letting go of any lingering stress from the previous week whilst setting a clear tone for what’s ahead.
‘For quite some time, it’s felt like I’ve been drifting through life, detached from truly feeling and experiencing. However, mindfulness has begun to offer small yet meaningful glimpses of
what it’s like to truly present. I’ve always tried to approach life with kindness and
compassion, yet I still find myself overwhelmed by situations that feel hard to
navigate. Mindfulness hasn’t made everything clear to me, but it’s brought moments of
clarity and peace to a mind that’s rarely ever quiet.’
erinjames57@yahoo.com