Mental Health Week Challenge: Every day mindfulness

Dear @CherryBomb Twice last week I intended to wash hair in shower .. but was out and dry before I put shampoo in ... so much we do is done on automatic pilot .. some of that is for good reasons of efficiency and different levels of integration & awareness ... today's society puts a lot of pressure on ... I could really relate to your post.

Still trying with mindfulness but with a bigger picture emphasis.

@Sad Girl...

Failed ???? Hmmmm... no I dont think you did . You simply didn't do it that day..

I dont get it right 100% either ( psst no one does ) Just do what you can and when you can .. Alllow the successes and the 'failures' they are both equal parts of what we are..accept both ..I know its hard at times not to beat ourselves up. If it was someone else you were talking to would you them they had failed..Probably not you would assist and reassure them.. its a trick to learn to be compassionate to ourselves as we would to someone else..

bang in 2 mindefullnesses on a day that you dont have too ...and celebrate that success.

Hi @Tight-Control

Thanks for your reply.

I never succeed in what I do or intend to do. I just wish I was stronger. I struggle big time with doing things and when I don't do something I see it as a failure. I am much easier on a friend but on myself - i am so hard.

I always see myself when i don't do something that i am meant to do as a failure.

I forgot to do mine last night & this morning. Back on horse tonight though.

@BlueBay I agree what others have said - you can't be so hard on yourself. You're your own worst critic. What I have noticed is that people are less likely to keep trying to form new habits when they are tough on themselves.

Be kind to yourself and pick up where you left off.

Here is an exercise that I've taken from the 'Every day mindfulness' session we did last month, which you can try now, if you're interested:

Go and take a walk for 3 minutes

However, imagine that you are learning to walk all over again. Take small, slow and exaggerated steps. Focus on placing the left heel on the ground then the toe. Then notice the shift in weight ration from left to right as the right hip projects forward and the right heel touches the ground followed by the right toes. And then the process repeats itself. Notice each step you take and how your feet interact with your shoes (if you are wearing them) and the ground. Walk around the room or wherever you are, it might help to do so in a circle. Notice the want to change your walking pace and any other feelings or sensations you may have.

I like this one.. I think I look pretty silly doing it... but I like it

But @NikNik didn't you feel angry or annoyed or frustrated with yourself for not doing it?? Don't you feel the slightest annoyed with yourself.

Thanks for the exercise, I will try it later on.

@NikNik

So I think then I catastrophise everything for the wrong reasons. Like you said 'no one has died' so I need to not catastrophise everything. Do you think i get angry for the wrong reasons?

I find it extrememly hard to be nice and kind to myself, even to love myself. I don't know why but i have so much hatred towards myself. I know i am not normally like this even to my own children or friends. But when it comes to me - there is so much anger and hatred.

It's pretty sad to write this but this is how i feel. i really don't know how to love myself. i just can't find the solution.