Clean Floor, Oh Yeah!
As I mentioned before, my new therapist prescribed a book for me, The Mindful Way through Depression
I think mindfulness is going to take a lot of re-training for my brain. Author Jon Kabat-Zinn says “Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” It also involves using all of your senses to pay attention to what you are experiencing.
I’m not used to taking life one thing at a time; or to concentrating on my physical senses. I keep my brain constantly busy; I read, listen to music, watch TV, or use the computer, and if I have to do something else, I usually add those other things to it.
For instance, taking a walk around the neighborhood is horribly boring. There’s nothing to see, and nothing to do with my brain. Music helps some.
If I have to do housework, I’m usually pushing myself through it using the computer as a reward. It’s something annoying to be gotten through so that I can do more enjoyable things. And so I continue to hate it, and to become depressed over having to do it, and over my not doing it well enough.
If I were practicing mindfulness while doing housework (and I’m not, at least not yet), I might concentrate on the sensations of what I’m doing; what it feels like physically to bend over and pick things up (wait, that might not be good), or to sweep floors clean. I might pay attention to how the hardwood floor looks, and to its texture. I might enjoy the change in how things look and feel as I clean.
I don’t know what I might experience; I haven’t bothered to notice yet. But I suspect it might help to see the housework as a valuable experience in and of itself, rather than as an obstacle to other things.
But meanwhile, I do have a clean floor, because I promised myself a little time with the computer after I cleaned it. Yay, me!
This post has 14 comments
January 3rd, 2009
I heart mindfulness.
It’s really hard. But the more I do it, the cooler it is. It reminds me of being at camp as a camper… it’s like I’m experiencing the simplest of things for the first time again.
Eating mindfully is particularly cool.
I also really appreciate mindfully making tea.
Sometimes I even do my homework mindfully!
I’m certainly not mindful all of the time. I go on auto pilot plenty… but when I am being mindful, it sure feels good.
January 3rd, 2009
Yes! It is like being at camp as a camper. I’m glad to hear from you about this, thanks.
January 3rd, 2009
Kathleen asked me to elaborate when I said, after reading this post, that we are Very Different People.
I think I almost HAVE to take life one thing at a time. I’m capable of multitasking, but left to my own devices, I don’t. I noticed this for the first time when I was working as a private cook; the maid would often help me make dinner, and she would ask if she could start one of the dishes, and I just couldn’t handle explaining to her what to do with the other dish while I was thinking about what I was making. I only wanted her to help with what I was currently working on, even if it was a totally different step in the process. My mind would be completely on ossobuco, and did not want to deal with green beans.
I can’t take notes in lecture classes; it’s way too distracting for me.
But taking a walk is never dull for me. I find so much to think about. It’s never occurred to me to listen to music while taking a walk, and I don’t think I would like it. It would distract me from the walk. I’ve heard you say that sometimes you count when you’re doing something like standing in line, for something to do; I could stand in line for a really long time without being bored.
A while ago I started listening to classical music sometimes while I cook or do housework, so I could be like Mrs. Austin, and I find it really pleasant; I’m more likely to keep working with the music on than to do a task and stop working for awhile. But I don’t really think to turn the music on very often, because silence almost always sounds good.
So, anyway, I think I have some natural “mindfulness” built into my psyche or personality or whatever, combined with a one-track mind.
January 3rd, 2009
Thanks! I was interested in this because we DO have so many other things in common. Obviously, there are oodles of different personality types out there, along with different learning styles and thinking styles and working styles…and I know we differ on those, too.
January 3rd, 2009
Mindfulness, wow. Yes, being completely in the moment is an amazing thing, especially when you write. I do mostly fiction, so I am pulling in everything, all the time; even as I type this, listening to the sound of the keys, feeling the response of them under my fingers, like live things, bouncing back at me. Me and the computer, talking the way we talk. Dancing. Everything you hear, feel, see, integrating somewhere in your head. Making a picture out of it that’s 3D and complete, replicating your experience so someone else can experience it too–so someone else can, for just a moment, BE you.
thelittlefluffycat’s last blog post..Mousely
January 3rd, 2009
I love your description, and yes, I see mindfulness as being very good for my writing.
January 4th, 2009
I am curious as to how the relates to the treatment of depression. Nearly everyone in my family has suffered from depression to some degree, and I am always looking for “cures”.
I am another one of those who is constantly hyperactive in my mind. I can juggle 88 things at once. But that is clearly not always a good thing.
I need to get that book.
Nancy Spivey’s last blog post..Madonna’s Millions v. My Lack Thereof
January 5th, 2009
I will be sure to let you know how the book is going.
January 5th, 2009
I often find myself in the middle of several things, not really paying attention to any of them outright.
The one thing that clears my mind, and makes me feel better is riding my motorcycle, it has always been my one form of escape from the world. I become very in tune with all things around me,it is very cheap therapy.
January 5th, 2009
Cool — that made me start thinking about what clears my mind. I used to play guitar to clear my mind at camp, but I haven’t been playing regularly. Hm.
January 5th, 2009
Love Kabat – Zinn. I hope you can get something from him.
SimplyForties’s last blog post..Lower Gas Prices, A Mixed Blessing?
January 5th, 2009
Thanks for coming by – and thanks for the review.
January 30th, 2009
Hi Kathleen, I was reading @Mettadore’s post on meditation and had to come over here and see what inspired him to write such a great post.
I miss living in the city. While in Colorado, we lived in a sprawling subdivision with 6000 homes and only five variations in floor plans. Both my wife and I commented on how boring it was to walk there. But put me in SE Portland and I find myself walking (and exploring) sometimes for hours. I’ve gotten so far away that I had to take a bus back home – more than once.
I can do the same thing in the woods. Even old farms. By giving my eyes a place to explore, I find my mind is better able to wander.
I recently read an article that was promoting the idea that our lives can be like living in a monastery. IOW, we don’t have to hole up in some Swiss Retreat Center to gain the benefits of service and solitude, rather we can consider our daily lives and chores to be acts of service and use the time to contemplate life. I think Brother Lawrence would be proud.
Eastern religions have done a great job of maintaining and promoting a myriad of spiritual disciplines. Most of these have been lost by Western Christians. Yet, no matter what your belief structure, it is important to practice all the disciplines.
In our home, we have unplugged the TV, the stereo isn’t on all the time (like it used to be), and I am even contemplating no web surfing after dinner (maybe? scary).
Living up here on the banks of the Mighty Columbia River, I often drive into town with no podcasts, no phone calls, no music, and no talk radio. If I’m not careful, that 30 minute drive is the only meditative time I get.
Thanks for opening the door and reminding me of a need I need to feed more often!
Good writing!
Gary Walter’s last blog post..Our Little Flower is Blooming
January 30th, 2009
Thank you! I have a copy of Brother Lawrence’s writings, too.
That does sound just like him.