Stop, Breathe, Thrive: Finding Mindfulness between Classes

Mindfulness doesn’t really have anything to do with isolating yourself from the people around you, or sitting at one place to retrospect your actions. Yes, these actions might sound useful, but in our real world scenarios, it is not the least bit possible. 

We have classes, assignments, societies, social commitments and the infamous social media to completely occupy our 24 hours. For most college students, for whom even sleep isn’t a priority, how can we expect to feel just a little calm in this rapid, multi-tasking and over-stimulating environment? 

Just recently, I had a particularly stressful day, when I was  juggling  classes, an unmissable society-meeting, back to back tests and also a social commitment, which was planned weeks back. Even though I know that it is a privilege to be busy, in fact I prayed to have just Something to keep me busy, just a few months back when I didn’t have any college; when I came back to my room, I felt so exhausted and irritated. Probably because amid all this, I didn’t take any time out for myself, to do something that I truly enjoyed. 

I am certain, a lot of you reading this will be able to relate with me on this experience. 

I have one question that bothers me - Wasn’t college supposed to be my time? A time when I was supposed to find out what I like and dislike? Wasn’t it the ‘Time of our lives’ as our elders used to boast? No, I am not saying that time hasn’t changed, of course it has. But if that leaves us with no choice in how we get to spend our time, has it changed for the better?

Mindfulness is a sense of calm. That’s it. Surprised? It is really that simple! 

To feel calm is to be mindful. There are people who preach meditation, or yoga, but those are simply individual preferences to attain a calm mind. Ask yourself, what is a hobby, an action that makes you lose track of time, that you would devote most of your time to, if money wasn’t a factor? It doesn’t have to sound appealing , or socially accepted, it just has to make you happy. For me, it is reading a book, or watching Modern Family. It could be a show, going out with friends, playing an instrument, sports, anything!

So, here’s to cherishing those simple pleasures—the little conversations, the coffee shared, and the belly laughs that make life oh-so-sweet! Cheers to good times and great friends! 

Since this beautiful year of 2024 is ending, here is a special gift from my side to all of you for being a part of my writing journey. These are the links for a few of the Top-Rated Newsletters of 2024-

1. The James Clear Newsletter. As you might know, James Clear is the author of the famous book ‘Atomic Habits’. 

2. The Art of Non-Conformity Newsletter. Based on the similarly titled book by Chris Guillebeau.

   
   

3.  Marketing Brew Newsletter. Latest news in the world of marketing and advertising. 

   
   

4. The Hustle Newsletter. A smart newsletter for the Business enthusiasts and Tech geeks. 

Wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Harshita