Episode 23: The Power of Mindfulness with Sarah Gyampoh
Mindfulness is a buzz word, I know. But there's a reason. It's where it's at. A strong mindfulness practice creates a solid foundation for the life you want to live. It's what takes us out of autopilot and allows for peace, joy & all the yummy good feels we're searching for. Because those feelings can't be felt anywhere but right here, right now at this moment. It's not a thing to do but rather a way of getting "solid in your foundation with yourself."
"First and foremost you are your own sovereign being."
We talk a lot about nourishing ourselves first as a mom here at Thrive in Motherhood. We do this because we know how vital it is AND how hard it really can be to operate this way. For all kinds of powerful, internal, limiting reasons, many of us have a hard time prioritizing ourselves. We forget that we are a person before we are a mother. We disregard our needs time & time again creating more & more disconnect with ourselves. When we are not sensing ourselves within motherhood, that is the biggest energy drain of all. Mindfulness is how we re-establish that connection with ourselves.
Today's guest, mindfulness expert & mom of 5, Sarah Gyampoh (scroll down for bio) won't tell you how to "do" mindfulness exactly (there is no "right" way). Rather she dives deeply into how it, or the lack thereof, affects our lives in a big way. In fact, how she describes her experience when she has fallen out of her mindfulness practice resonates with me deeply:
"I don't have the patience or the space in my being to take care of all these children I made."
Okay, first off, I appreciate that honesty. It is so difficult when we're in this place because of course, we feel responsible. We're the one who chose to be a mother. Shouldn't we be doing it better? Shouldn't we be enjoying it more? Shouldn't we have the capacity to handle it all?
"It's learning how to tune in to that space of quiet."
Mindfulness isn't necessarily sitting every day to meditate, although that IS lovely. It can be as simple as paying attention to the way the warm water feels on your hands as you wash dishes. Or it can be any other way that brings you into your body and the present moment. The idea is really to find that quiet in your mind. Give it a break from all the thinking and just live, just be, even if only for a few moments.
"Mindfulness is being conscious of & paying attention to the current moment where life is happening. It's noticing your experience with open-hearted, non-judgmental awareness no matter the situation. When we incorporate mindfulness practices into our daily lives, we notice our realities begin to shift. So simple yet it requires effort to quiet the mind and focus on the now."
This episode is a delightful reminder of the power of mindfulness and was an inspiration to strengthen my practice, especially because I agree with Irene that "mindfulness is how we access emotional regulation."
Until next week,
Grab Sarah’s freebie: Practices for Connecting to your Innate Wisdom
Connect with Sarah:
Website: www.sarahgyampoh.com
Facebook: @Sarahgyampoh
Instagram: @sarah.gyampoh
Sarah Gyampoh
Sarah Gyampoh is a social worker, yoga instructor, and childbirth educator who combines her counseling skills with the wisdom of yoga and mindfulness to assist moms in releasing feelings of overwhelm and finding and honoring their way of mothering. She is the mom of five beautiful children.