Happy NEW YEAR!! Welcome to Mind Shifts, a bite-sized blog about mindfulness, meditation, and more. Each month I’ll share bits and bobs with the intention of sparking some mindful magic. As we enter a new year, many of us set goals, make resolutions, and commit to some new and improved version of ourselves.
What if, instead of chasing big resolutions, we embraced small, mindful shifts that build lasting change? What if we spent less time focusing on the final destination, and gave our full attention to where we are in each moment? What if we stepped away from the pressure to “fix” or “improve” ourselves and instead practiced presence?
Mindfulness teaches us that being present is about fully experiencing the here and now with acceptance and non-judgment, and choosing our response. It invites us to bring our attention to what is happening in the moment—our thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and surroundings—rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. And here’s the coolest part: when we have awareness in each moment, we have a much better chance of living in a way that is in alignment with our values. This awareness is the key to creating a meaningful life, one day at a time. When we are truly present in each moment, we can better understand our current habits and thought patterns. With that understanding, we can start making small, sustainable shifts.
Mindful Shifts: Small Steps, Big Changes
Living in the moment doesn’t mean we have to abandon our aspirations—it means approaching them differently. Instead of rigid resolutions, try gentle shifts. These are small, intentional actions that align with your values and bring you closer to the life you want to live.
I, like many, have health on my mind as I start this year. This focus makes sense because I value vitality. To me, vitality means feeling energetic, alive, and purposeful in both body and mind. My biggest hurdle to vitality is my diet. I love a late-night bowl of ice cream and pizza on the weekends. However, I also know that dairy, saturated fat, excess salt, and unhealthy fats leave me feeling sluggish and bloated. These habits, along with others, take me away from feeling vital. In years past, I focused on weight loss and exercise to address my health goals, but I’ve often been met with minimal results. This year, I’ve decided to take a different approach: bringing mindfulness
to my diet.
My first mindful shift is committing to eating 30 different plants each week.
I chose this behavior shift for several reasons. First, I already eat plants and enjoy them.
Eating more of them feels like a shift, not an overhaul. Second, I absolutely love going to farmer’s markets. I often run out of money long before I run out of interest in the seasonal produce available. This shift gives me a reason to explore and stock up each time I visit. Third, I love to cook and try new recipes, and this shift supports one of my passions. As a bonus, I end up sharing what I cook with others, which feeds another value: community and belonging. This shift is the perfect start for me because it aligns with my values and passions. It feels realistic and attainable, and it gets me excited.
So, Where Does Mindfulness Come In?
Mindfulness is the thread that ties it all together. It’s what transforms this from a simple habit to a meaningful shift. When I prepare and eat plants, I bring my full attention to the experience. I notice the colors, textures, and flavors of the food. I pay attention to how my body feels as I eat and how my energy changes over time. Mindfulness keeps me engaged, curious, and connected to my values. One way I practice mindfulness is by revisiting a classic exercise: eating a raisin. If you’ve ever done this exercise, you know it involves slowing down and paying close attention to every detail of the raisin—its appearance, texture, and taste. This exercise reminds me to bring the same level of
awareness to my food choices. It’s not just about what I eat but how I experience it. I am using the same observation skills used in eating a raisin to my first three bites of every meal. Through mindfulness, I’m not just eating 30 plants a week—I’m experiencing the joy and vitality they bring to my life. And that makes all the difference.
Embracing the Journey
When we focus on the present moment and make small, sustainable shifts, we not only move closer to our goals but also learn to savor the journey along the way. Life isn’t meant to be a constant race toward some distant finish line. By grounding ourselves in the here and now, we find joy, purpose, and fulfillment in the process. As you step into this new year, ask yourself: How can I make this journey meaningful? What small
shifts can I make today to honor my values and nurture my well-being? Will 2025 be the year you embrace the power of mindfulness, one moment, one habit, and one gentle shift at a time?
What I’m Loving Right Now
Immi ramen! This plant-based ramen has been a game-changer for me. Not only does it support my plant-focused shift, but it’s also packed with protein and fiber—perfect for my next mindful shifts of increasing these nutrients. I love adding their veggie topping mix and fresh vegetables to make it a satisfying lunch or dinner. It feels like my college habit of eating ten-cent ramen got a total makeover—and it’s cool again! This is a great example of how mindfulness isn’t just about big changes; it’s about finding joy in small, meaningful upgrades.
Mindful Shift Invitations
If you’re thinking about resolutions this year, consider shifting. Spend some time exploring your values and where you’re out of sync. Introduce a behavior shift that brings you into closer alignment with your values. If you’re interested in changing how you eat, listen to my audio recording of how to eat a raisin found HERE. Heads up - you’ll need an actual raisin. If you want to learn more about mindfulness meditation, sign up for my recorded 21 Day Meditation Challenge. Each day’s content is around 15 minutes. It’s a perfect way to introduce a meditation based shift into your life. Sign up HERE. Interested in one-on-one mindfulness coaching? I would love to work with you. Private coaching is my favorite part of being a mindfulness meditation teacher. Email me for a free sample session here CONTACT
As always, I love hearing from you. What’s on your plate these days?
Leavin’ You with a Quote
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” ― Vincent Van Gogh
Until our next breath together,
Lisa
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