Hey everyone, I hope you are all having a peaceful day
I attended my first mindfulness group and it was fun. I actually had fun! I haven't said that about anything in a while. It was a 45 minute session in a dimly lit room. The room was small and I felt like turning around when I first went in, but I stayed and I am so glad that I did. We introduced ourselves and it felt like a mix between group therapy and meditation. We practiced guided meditation/visualization. It was truly something I have never experienced before and I am excited for my next group in two weeks! I felt so calm, actually at peace during that time. I have felt the most relaxed today than what I have felt in a very long time. It feels like I am getting my emotions back- I had fun, I felt peace, I'm looking forward to my next group. Even if it is only temporary, I am happy today. I. am. happy. today. Four words that haven't been genuinely thought or spoken lately. Remember, go at your own pace and take things one day at a time <3
Have any of you attended a mindfulness group in person? If so, what was it like for you? Or, are mindfulness apps preferred?
Written by
Jane_Doe2018
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Hey Samson It was awesome! I saw a flyer for it in my psychiatrist's office and asked about it. She referred me to it and it is actually in the same building that I go to my therapy appointments, just on the other side of the building. Turns out, one of the doctors does this every two weeks for free!! The catch is that it fills up quickly, but I went on ahead and booked up two more appointments, 1 more this month, then 1 in December.
If you see a therapist/doctor, maybe ask them about any resources that may be available to you? Or try to search it on the internet if you haven't done so already. I haven't had any luck until I saw the flyer a month ago. I live in a small town that nothing really happens in and am very happy and grateful to be apart of the mindfulness group. It's different when you have human interactions, although I still use the headspace app.
Sidenote: I have had a difficult time finding in person groups, so I am apart of DBSA- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, and attend online group meetings. There are TONS of other group meeting topics besides depression and bipolar disorder. Most of the meetings are free, some cost, but I stick to the free meetings.
I'm proud of you, happy for you and amazed. Mostly, I'm happy that your happy! New things can be amazing and fun. 100 kazillion hugs for being so smart & action orientated. Have a blessed day!!
Great idea! I've only used Headspace but I googled this and found a local mindfulness "nature-based hiking therapy" group that meets on the second Saturday of each month. I'm going to look into it. Thanks!
Headspace is an app that provides guided mindful meditations. You start by learning the basics of meditation, and then you can choose a series related to all kinds of different topics: managing anxiety, acceptance, letting go of stress, kindness, etc. I recommend trying it!
Fantastic news, I haven’t been in person, have been to meditation though, good energy when there’s a few of you, I use you tube fir morning and evening meditations now xxx
Sounds wonderful, Jane-Doe2018! As a mindfulness instructor and trainer, everything you said makes sense as it echoes what a lot of people say about this practice once they are introduced to it. If you'd like to read up on the health benefits of mindfulness, there are links to some great articles in the "Mindfulness Library" on my web site (safermindfulness.com), some cool videos (see "Resources" in navigation), and my book, Anxiety, Stress & Mindfulness: A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Wellness.
It truly was, Andrew22. I am glad to hear what I shared makes sense and is a common experience that others have. Thank you for sharing those links- I am definitely interested in learning more about mindfulness. Thanks again for your post
I completed a 12 week mindfulness course some time ago...prior to me struggling more in groups..I’m glad I was able to attend. 😊
I enjoyed it...
The mindfulness concept is quite simple really and initially I was thinking ‘oh this doesn’t work for me’ I think we tend to think of wanting a quick fix ...and forget our minds have had many years of doing what they do, ie ruminating and getting anxious...our minds naturally wander away...so although I enjoyed the course I kinda felt it didn’t work for me....but I kept trying it out..meditating in the evenings, being mindful...I persevered with my wandering mind....and kept bringing it back to the mindfulness exercise...the perseverance was so worth it, I now practise mindfulness often, I love it and it can give me peace...😊
I’m so glad you are involved in practising it and that your enjoying the group ..🌺🌺🌺
Wow, yes, way to go on sticking with it Thank you, and I appreciate you for sharing your experience with me. I agree that we want the instant benefits, but the reality is that it takes time and practice to master any skill. I have to occasionally remind myself of that because it can be easy to get wrapped up in the frustrations of wanting it to happen now. I am still in the beginning stages, but I plan to perservere as you did because I believe that it can help. Hearing stories, including yours, of how it has helped keeps me focused on what my goals are.
Yes for sure, stick at it..it’s a wonderful concept !
Meditation helps me to get to sleep at night, it’s been a life saver 😊 because without sleep I get so unwell ...
Best wishes 🌺🌺🌺
• in reply to
Good for you. You give me hope. I do not typically have trouble sleeping, but can get anxious thoughts after noon....later in day. I must keep trying. Thanks.
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Happy to hear about your mindfulness success. I am trying! Also, how can I be sure my posts only go to the community? You had a tip, but I cannot find it. Thanks
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Hi
When you write a post at the bottom of the post when you scroll down it says community only or everyone....
Tick the box for ‘community only’
You can check it out even if your not writing a post ..click on write and you will see the details at the bottom..
Also you can lock posts you have already composed on here ..I believe via the edit button, certainly somewhere on your post if you go into your profile any posts you have compiled are there....
Good wishes x
• in reply to
Sorry, but I am not understanding how to tell if somebody else's post is going beyond the community. I only want to stay in the community. Thanks again.
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If you look at posts they are locked if they have a lock underneath the title , some have a lock some don’t , the ones with a small lock icon only go to the community...
My posts all have locks underneath the title as I lock them all to only the community here....
If you need to know more private message me and I will try to help x
• in reply to
Ok. So if there is a lock icon, it is a locked post. Also, I can lock mine by editing my profile. Thanks again.
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Yes that’s correct ..this post doesn’t have a lock for example..the black lock icon you would see top of page near user name and under the title 😊
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So.... what I am writing now can go outside the community, right?
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