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Mindfulness

Expecto_Patronum

Having just mentioned mindfulness in a response to somebody, it reminded me that I have big queries about mindfulness.

Recently I saw a video about it that described people going about their daily life noticing things. This I can believe. Their example of something people don't notice - the water in the shower. How can you possibly not notice water in the shower that is literally coming down on your head? 

It made me wonder whether this was the video somewhat exaggerating or whether it is part of my neurodivergency. I often find that I can't filter out things and it often amazes me what other people can filter out. I couldn't believe it one day when I was being driven mad by a very large flickering light and other people were saying well I didn't notice until you pointed it out. What do you mean you didn't notice? How can you possibly not have noticed? 

I wonder if this is why I strongly dislike mindfulness. It aims to make us more aware of what is happening in our bodies but I'm hyper aware. I can never block it out. Why would I want to become more aware and how would that help ground me?

I may well be after neurotypical answers for comparison but let's see what people think anyway. Is anyone unaware of the feel of the water when they have a shower? Those of you that like mindfulness - are you usually hyper aware and what is it that you like about it? Those of you that don't like mindfulness or haven't found it helpful - are you usually hyper aware and what is it you didn't like about it?

  • in reply to Stuart333

    This isn't quite the point the video was making. The point the video was making is that people go through life not noticing things (including how they feel). And one of the things that people apparently don't notice, is the water in the shower. The idea was that if people took the time to slow down and notice these things, they'd be emotionally better off. But I can't help but notice them and I am definitely not emotionally better off. I get people ignore a lot of stimuli but I don't see how they can ignore water.

    The reason I don't think mindfulness works well for me is that I notice every knot in my stomach, every slight change in my body. Noticing them does not help me because I cannot relax. Mindfulness doesn't help me to relax. It actually makes me feel more stressed.

  • My understanding is mindfulness is more related to your feelings and emotions.

    So it is not the fact you are standing in the shower. It whether you are stressed, anxious, worrying about other things, hot, cold, hungry, find it too bright, noisy, etc.

    Instead of just bulldozing on ignoring the knot on your stomach, the slight feeling of nausea, and the fact you are exhausted, you actually pay attention to them.

    Ignoring everything is what leads to the body being stressed and overloaded, emotional outbursts and eventually burnout. So recognising them, so that you can then mitigate them, by learning to relax and not feel guilty, helps to bring periods of calm which give you more margin to manage, i.e it makes you less highly strung.

    I was unconvinced, but since being burnt out (again) and diagnosis, I now take it a bit more seriously.