When was the last time you truly observed the trees outside? When did you pause to notice the birds chirping by your window? When did you simply listen to the pitter-patter of raindrops, letting your mind rest from the constant influx of thoughts?
As the curtains close on the year 2024 and we step into a new chapter, we often catch ourselves saying, “Where did the year go?” or “It’s December already; how did that happen?”
Time does fly, but in this era of relentless speed, it feels as though it’s slipping away faster than ever. Perhaps it’s time to take a step back and reclaim our days and our lives through the practice of mindful living.
Mindful living, in simple terms, means to live in the present, to be aware of our surroundings, and to make conscious decisions accordingly.
Imagine two tables at a restaurant, each with a couple of diners. At Table 1, the food is aesthetically arranged, and the diners are clicking photos rapidly, uploading them to social media, and constantly checking their buzzing phones.
Meanwhile, at Table 2, the diners have their phones tucked away. They are laughing, talking, and savouring their meals. Table 1 exemplifies the fad of “living for the gram,” while Table 2 embodies the essence of living mindfully in the moment.
In today’s fast-paced world, where hustle culture dominates and stillness is undervalued, it has become all the more essential to cherish the quiet, fleeting moments that life offers.
Mindful living invites us to slow down, to be present, and to find joy in the simplicity of existence.
The beauty of living mindfully is that it requires nothing extraordinary. In fact, it simply asks us to say no to a pleasure-driven life and yes to a purpose-driven one. Before technology took over, we had the same 24 hours in a day as we do now. Yet back then, we even had time to get bored.
Today, we seek constant stimulation, needing a video or podcast even for mundane tasks like folding laundry. Our brains are perpetually force-fed information, leaving little room to process even a fraction of it.
It is up to us to create a time-rich life, where moments are cherished and not merely filled. By doing so, we ensure that when we approach the finish line of our lives, we can look back with contentment, knowing we truly lived.
Let us begin with something as simple as cooking—but do it mindfully.
Give yourself those 30 minutes of stimulation-free time. Take off your earphones while selecting ingredients; instead, focus on choosing what will truly nourish your body. Wash the vegetables thoroughly, taking care to remove every speck of dirt. Watch the onion slices transform in colour as they cook, and use your senses to savour the aroma of the spices.
Often, such scents can transport you to cherished memories of watching your mother in the kitchen, preparing your favourite meal, which you would savour down to the last bite.
By being fully aware of each and every step of the cooking process, you grant yourself the gift of time.
Those 30 minutes, which might otherwise blur by unnoticed, become a rich, vivid experience. It’s really that simple. Mindfulness transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.
So, keep that phone aside and look outside the window. Take a moment to breathe deeply and to observe the beauty that surrounds you. Let this year be a reminder that life isn’t a race; it’s a journey meant to be savoured.
Ambreen Rasool is the founder of The Quillers’ Club and author of the book ‘The Adventures of Iya and Zoey’.
