Mindfulness Matters: Breath by Breath

Mindfulness Matters: Breath by Breath

Learning to Be Where My Feet Are

I am participating in #BLOGCHATTERA2Z YEAR 2025 &  Blogging from A to Z Challenge!  Somewhere along the way, I realised I was living life on autopilot—doing, responding, remembering, worrying—but rarely being. Even joyful moments slipped by unnoticed, buried under lists and lingering thoughts.

Then one morning, during a quiet stretch of pranayama, it hit me: I had been missing my own life. Not the big events, but the small ones. The warm cup of chai. The early sun painting my plants golden. The way the wind plays with the edges of my dupatta on my daily walk.

That’s when mindfulness found me—or maybe, I finally found myself.

Rituals That Root Me

Mindfulness isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a daily practice—a sacred return to the present. For me, it begins in the body. My breath is the first step. Each inhale and exhale during pranayama is like opening a window to calm.

Yoga follows. The asanas aren’t just exercise—they’re invitations to listen to my body. Some mornings, I feel grounded. Others, I wobble. But even in the wobble, I’m awake, aware, alive.

These practices, which I often mention in my blogs, aren’t just wellness tools. They’re my anchors.

A Mindful Walk with Myself

Every day, I take a walk—my quiet conversation with nature. I don’t scroll. I just walk, notice the birdsong, the sunlight dancing through the leaves, and the rhythm of my steps.

This simple ritual has taught me more about mindfulness than any book ever could. It brings me back to my senses-literally. The world feels full again. I feel full again.

Mindfulness in the Everyday

Mindfulness doesn’t always look like meditation. It shows up in the way I chop vegetables or how I fold a saree. It’s there in how I listen, not just to others, but to myself. Some of the ways I stay present include:

• Breathing deeply when emotions run high
• Savoring my meals without distractions
• Pausing between tasks to reset—not rush
• Drinking water slowly, with gratitude
• Choosing silence when my mind feels noisy

These small things add up. They teach me that life isn’t meant to be rushed through—it’s meant to be lived through.

Mindful Eating: Nourishing the Body, Calming the Mind

Mindfulness isn’t only about breathwork or stillness—it’s also in how we eat.

I used to rush through meals while multitasking or scrolling on my phone. But slowing down and paying attention to each bite changed everything. I began to savour my food, enjoy the textures, and feel more connected to my body’s signals.

In my post 5 Tips to Mindful Eating, I shared how chewing slowly, setting the phone aside, and appreciating each ingredient can turn a simple meal into a moment of peace.

Mindful eating is about more than food; it’s about respect. For your body. For the nourishment. For yourself.

Presence Is Power

When I’m mindful, I respond instead of react. I soften instead of snapping. I feel more in control, not of the world, but of myself. That’s empowerment. That’s peace.

In my recent blog on Joyful Living I share how happiness often hides in small, ordinary moments. Mindfulness is the key that unlocks them.

If You’re New to Mindfulness…

Start small. Take 3 deep breaths when you wake up. Put your phone away during meals. Step outside and notice 3 things with each of your senses—what you see, hear, smell, feel.

Give yourself that presence. It’s the kindest gift.

Final Thought

Mindfulness isn’t about escaping life. It’s about arriving fully into it—messy, beautiful, unpredictable as it may be.

I don’t always get it right. Some days, I spiral into stress. But I’ve learned to catch myself. To breathe. To begin again.

And in that small return, I find myself—over and over again.

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.

The A2Z List

1. Awakening-Ignite your Spark
2. Bloom Bravely-Choose Courage & Self-love
3. Clear Mental Clutter for Growth
4. Rise with Determination
5. 8 Steps to Embracing Your True Essence
6. Finding Work-life Balance
7. Gratitude: Fuelling Growth with Thankfulness
8. Healing: Turning My Power into Pain
9. Inner strength: Awakening the warrior within
10. Joyful Living: Creating a Life of Joy & Purpose
11. Kindness to Myself & Others
12. Letting Go: Making Space for Peace