Mindfulness: Formal & Informal

There are two ways to be mindful, formal and informal, and both are good!

Formal mindfulness is practicing meditation, breathwork or journaling for example. It is a specific activity aimed at being mindful, calm and sometimes, introspective. You might also consider taking a mindful walk as more formal way of practicing. Noticing the sights, smells and feels around you as you move.

These are the routines we want to develop with regularity. We must be very intentional about prioritizing the time and finding the physical space to do these these things without interruption.

Informal mindfulness is when we practice presence in less defined ways or at unscheduled times. Dropping into presence when you’re in conversation or eating a meal is being mindful. Chew slowly and spend time with the flavor. When we notice the mental chatter and stop it by taking a breath, we’re being mindful. Pausing to choose our words carefully and thoughtfully before we hit ‘send’ is being mindful.

Informal mindfulness might be considered the harder of the two practices because you’re not designating a special time to do it. You’re trying to do it throughout your day, unscheduled.

Try practicing mindfulness in every day actions like doing the laundry or washing the dishes. Focus on how the water feels on your hands. How the soap smells. What the flowing water sounds like. Focusing on the senses is a great way to get centered in presence.

Both informal and formal mindfulness help slow things down in your being. Don’t worry though. It doesn’t make you less productive. You’ll actually become more efficient because you’re more aware and careful with your words and actions.