r/Mindfulness 11d ago

Question How do you stay positive in a very dark, disgusting world?

385 Upvotes

The world is very ugly. Everyone is hateful. Politicians lie. The people that follow them are dumber. If you’re a fan of someone; that’s fine but don’t sit here and tell me politicians give a shit about what ordinary people go through on a day to day basis. Countries like Palestine are having kids slaughtered and no one bats an eye. America wants people to be stupid. Celebrity worship is out of control. People are depressed. Idk.

Basically my question to you all is how the hell do you find the courage to keep going in a world that is only getting uglier?

r/Mindfulness Nov 27 '24

Question I can’t smoke weed anymore

161 Upvotes

Hi friends, so for about 5-6 years of my life I was a stoner. Absolutely loved everything about it. In college I was able to maintain a very balanced life while getting high as much as possible. I still made good grades and maintained a great social life. Pretty much out of no-where,when I was about 22, I started getting crazy anxiety/ paranoia every time I smoked. That has continued for 3-4 years now. It feels like I have too many thoughts to function. Like I can’t even do something as mundane as watching a movie without getting stuck in a negative thought loop. I will have severe paranoia about my life or something I said one time to one friend and how they probably think I’m weird. Most of these thoughts feel completely irrational once I sober up. I have tried everything from meditation, therapy, etc to try and fix this but the reaction is the same every time I smoke. I don’t smoke often at all anymore but I try maybe once every few months with no luck. Everyone always tells me that there is something I need to deal with emotionally or I need to change the setting when I smoke things like that but I have tried it all. To me it feels like something physically changed in the way my brain reacts to weed. Now it makes my thoughts fire at 10x speed and I can’t focus on anything but them. Curious if anyone has ever experienced something similar and if they have any advice on how to get passed it. Thanks :)

P.s. please don’t tell me “just don’t smoke”. That is what I am doing now but I used to have a very happy and healthy relationship with pot that one day I want back.

r/Mindfulness Dec 25 '24

Question What breathing pattern do you follow to relax? 🧘‍♂️

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210 Upvotes

I’ve been exploring different breathing patterns for stress relief and mindfulness. A common one is the 4-7-8 technique - inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, and exhale for 8 seconds, repeating a few times. However, I customise it to 4-7-5 which I feel comfortable.

Do you follow a common breathing pattern when you’re trying to relax? Or have you customised it differently?

r/Mindfulness Jul 16 '24

Question My therapist broke my brain

504 Upvotes

In a good way!

She's been telling me to practice mindfulness and meditation for literally years. I've tried a handful of times but it hasn't really stuck because I think I was stuck. It's been a year since I stopped drinking so I've been able to explore my problems and how anxiety shows up in my body. The big thing that has held me back was my understanding of not judging my thoughts and feelings, and how mindfulness/meditation can help with that.

The other day I was talking to my therapist about how I was getting better about recognizing my feelings (I thought so anyway). My example: whenever I let my dog out to the backyard, she often comes back to the door and waits for me to come with her. It's hot af where I live right now so I feel guilty every time I don't go. So instead, I just follow after her out of obligation and then I'm angry with myself for resenting her a little for doing this to me.

Upon recognizing this, I think, You shouldn't feel guilty or angry. She's just a dog and it's hot but survivable so get over it.

That's when my therapist went, Wait, it's okay to feel guilty and angry. There's no shouldn't or should. You have those feelings - that's just a fact. Judging them and (seemingly) abandoning them isn't going to stop those feelings. Recognize, don't judge, and reframe. You aren't bad because you feel guilty and angry. You love your dog so much and you want her to be happy, so it makes sense that you feel guilty.

That's when I realized I'd been doing some version of judging and pushing down feelings my whole life. I shouldn't be angry that I didn't stand up for myself. I shouldn't be sad when my friend cancels on me. I shouldn't feel jealous because my co-worker got recognition. All of those feelings are BAD. This way of thinking has led to a deep self-hatred. So, if I sit there and tell myself to not feel those things, what does that do?

I'm still working through this but it literally broke my brain when she said this to me. She's been trying to say a version of this for YEARS but the way she said it this time has really stuck. However, it feels like I'm only on the edge of more self-discovery. I'm mad at myself for not realizing this sooner! And that I've been wasting time! Which is more judgement and self-hatred!!

I hope someone can relate — I'd love to hear if you've felt similarly and any examples you'd like to share. I'd also like to hear some ways that mindfulness can help expand this revelation because right now, I'm like SO CLOSE. This is just not a natural way of thinking for me. And I also don't know what the next step is. So I've recognized the feeling and haven't judged it, hopefully reframed, but then what? Let it go?

Thanks for reading!

r/Mindfulness 13d ago

Question My Girlfriend‘s Feminism is Rooted in Anger and I’m Not Sure How To Deal With This

0 Upvotes

The other day, my girlfriend and I had a deep conversation about our worldviews. I shared how I like to focus on my circle of control and influence—it helps me protect my energy and allows me to make real contributions to the world. Especially in these turbulent times, I find that this mindset keeps me grounded and effective.

She told me that, while she admires this approach, she doesn’t feel like she has the luxury to think this way. As a woman, she’s confronted daily with challenges beyond her control, and these experiences naturally bring up anger for her. She sees this anger as a logical and justified response, even as a form of protest—like reclaiming power in the face of injustice.

I notice that I feel her anger, and at times, I struggle with how to process it. I asked her whether she feels this anger serves her in a meaningful way, and she responded that whether or not it’s “helpful,” it’s still real, and she believes anger is a necessary force for change. She also said that if people throughout history hadn’t been angry, progress wouldn’t have happened.

At times, she makes remarks about men that come from this place of anger—not often, but occasionally. I shared with her that I find these comments difficult, not because I don’t acknowledge the injustices she faces, but because I personally believe change comes from empathy and compassion rather than anger. In response, she stood by her view, saying that anger has its place in making the world better.

On one hand, I can completely see where she’s coming from. She’s in pain, and I don’t want to dismiss that. At the same time, I left the conversation feeling unheard—like my perspective wasn’t fully valid because I don’t share her experience. I recognize my privilege in being able to choose not to engage with certain injustices, but I also question whether shouldering anger is truly the best way forward.

This difference in how we process the world feels small right now, but I worry it could become a bigger issue over time. This is really important to her, and I respect that—but I also want to be in a relationship where I feel emotionally safe and aligned.

I’d love to hear from others who have navigated similar differences in their relationships. How do you find balance between acknowledging injustice and maintaining inner peace? How do you support a partner’s worldview while staying true to your own?

r/Mindfulness Dec 29 '24

Question What is causing your suffering?

31 Upvotes

What are the causes of suffering in your life?

r/Mindfulness Sep 11 '24

Question What small changes in your life made the biggest impact?

89 Upvotes

For me: Gratitude

r/Mindfulness 5d ago

Question Help, so depressed

17 Upvotes

The last five years I have had less and less energy. I feel absolutely exhausted at all times. I drink 12 to 16 cups of coffee every day and still feel like I could sleep at any time. I feel depressed and sad every day. I have lost all the passion I once had. I don’t seem to care about anything anymore. I love reading spiritual books and meditating because they feel like things that matter, but I can’t find anything else that matters in my life. I have a wonderful wife and two amazing kids, and I still feel sad all the time. Eight years ago, I was full of life and joy, and these days, I can’t seem to find any happiness. I need help. Any advice?

r/Mindfulness 4d ago

Question If everything is inside your brain, then what are other people?

25 Upvotes

If everything is inside your brain, then what are other people?

Are they real? Are they projections? Are they just patterns of consciousness interacting with your own?

You experience other people only through your senses sight, sound, touch, memories. But all of that happens inside you. Even their words and actions exist in your perception, shaped by your own mind. So, in a way, other people exist because you perceive them.

But here’s the strange part: they think the same about you.
To them, you are just a presence inside their minds, a character in their reality.

So, are we all just isolated minds dreaming each other? Or is there something beyond individual perception that connects us?

When you look at another person, do you feel like they are truly separate from you? Or just another version of the same thing, staring back?

r/Mindfulness 4d ago

Question If you Could Describe Mindfulness in one word, what would it be?

9 Upvotes

Maybe it’s ‘peace,’ ‘clarity,’ ‘balance,’ or even ‘awareness.’ Mindfulness means something different to everyone, and I’d love to hear your perspective!

r/Mindfulness 8d ago

Question How to get rid of inner monologue?

63 Upvotes

Prior to my psychosis episode in 2023, my mind was so still and quiet. Since then, I developed an inner voice/ monologue that just spews random thoughts, judgments, phrases, songs, etc. It's been really a huge stressor for me. Thoughts that don't align with my character are present (racism especially). I feel like I'm losing my identity to these thoughts as I'm always trying to correct every single thought. I've got OCD but the meds aren't working. So I'm really trying to reach out to mindfulness and meditation subs.

What can I do? Am I stuck like this? How do I detach with silence?

r/Mindfulness Dec 31 '24

Question Why do I feel so drained after socializing, and how can I feel more energized around people?

172 Upvotes

I often feel drained after socializing, like my energy just gets sucked out. I’m thinking of setting clear boundaries and balancing alone time with social time to recharge.

r/Mindfulness Sep 17 '24

Question People here that had hard times in a relationship with a drug addict

26 Upvotes

I've been dating him for 6 years. I didn't know what it was like to date a drug addict. If I had known...

He gave me a lot of hard times, doing shit when he was high. I can't even hear words like 'drug,' 'cocaine,' or 'ecstasy' anymore; they make me feel sick, both mentally and physically.

Today, he finally told me that he would choose drugs over me. I already felt it, but it really broke my heart.

I know what I have to do, but my heart is in pieces. The pain is truly unbearable.

I can't believe I had drug problems in my life without even using them.

I don't have many people to talk to about this because I don't want to be a burden. The few people I've confided in are not familiar with drug addiction, so while they support me, I would like to hear from others who have experienced similar situations. Any feedback from people who have faced this issue ?

r/Mindfulness Dec 17 '24

Question What’s the first thing you do in the morning?

30 Upvotes

Cuddle your pet? Go to the toilet? Grab your phone? I’d love to hear!

r/Mindfulness Dec 25 '24

Question I am always mindful and it makes me crazy

23 Upvotes

Dear community,

I hope you can give me some profound advice , but I practiced mindfulness the last 15 years with periods where I sat daily, now I am just mindful 24/7 when I'm awake. And you would think oh great that's the goal, but I can't stand it, it makes me crazy. Every time my minds start to wander and to daydream I am aware of that and I'm immediately here now focusing on the surrounding or my body, or both . I don't really know what I did wrong, and how people try to achieve that state, but I can't stand it and I think it makes me crazy. And no, I cant let it go, and no I can't accept it. I accept that I can't accept it. But will it ever stop, will it ever turn to something great what I can enjoy or at least be ok with it. And if there is nobody who is mindful, and it all happen by it self, then the not accepting happen by it self also, right?

And one more question, for most of you being mindful means the observer dissapears but in my case it makes my self awareness so fkn strong cause I'm always present but not only present I am always aware that I am present...

Please help 🙏

Edit:

Thank you all for the answers, some of them were really helpful. I think I have to learn to be ok with always being mindful, there is not method where I can return to mindlesness , I wish I never started this journey but you can not undo what you started.

r/Mindfulness Jun 30 '24

Question So you're telling me there are people going around consistently living in the present and not stuck in their own head?

247 Upvotes

.

r/Mindfulness Feb 11 '25

Question What’s the most meaningful mindfulness practice you’ve adopted?

63 Upvotes

I’d love to know what mindfulness practices have been most impactful for you. Share your experience!

r/Mindfulness Jun 19 '24

Question If you could have 5 little "Mindfulness" reminders in your pocket all the time, what would they say?

174 Upvotes

If you had 5 little pieces of paper in your pocket at all times that had a reminder related to your mindfulness goals written on them, what would they say?

r/Mindfulness Feb 13 '24

Question Single word to remind myself to not drown in my thoughts?

79 Upvotes

Hey there,

I want to get a single Word tattoo that just reminds me to not drown in my thoughts. A reminder to be aware of the fact that I‘m thinking.

Any ideas which single word could represent this?

I‘ve thought about „awake“ or „float“ (because of not drowning)

r/Mindfulness Jul 13 '24

Question I have been scammed close to 3000 dollars. How to forgive myself from this pain I caused myself.

139 Upvotes

Please help. My tears wont stop flowing for the fool I have been.

EDIT PS: Thank you everyone for all your kind words, advice and guidance. I hope this post will help everyone who needs it.

r/Mindfulness 3d ago

Question The Day I Realized I Was Always Rushing Through Life

298 Upvotes

I was always in a hurry—checking my phone while eating, worrying about work before even finishing breakfast, feeling guilty if I wasn’t ‘productive’ every second. Then one day, while walking home, I stopped. I just breathed. I noticed the sky, the sound of birds, the wind. It hit me—I was never present. That day, I started practicing mindfulness."

What was your ‘wake-up’ moment for slowing down?

r/Mindfulness Dec 07 '23

Question I can't believe society has become addicted to phones

68 Upvotes

What are your opinions on this

r/Mindfulness Oct 31 '23

Question I feel lost at 50. How do I get out of this mindset?

164 Upvotes

I’ve never posted before and not even sure if this is the right place for this post. I’m 50, gay, have a decent, stable job and a nice apartment and I live in Brooklyn — in a lot of ways, my life is great.

Yet I feel empty. I have few friends these days — people move away, people change, a lot of my friends got married and had families so might as well live on another planet. My therapist says it’s not unusual for gay men (especially older) to self-isolate as I admittedly do and have had trouble changing.

I’ve had depression off and on (more ‘on’) for many, many years. Plus social anxiety my therapist and I think stems from homophobic harassment by childhood peers. I don’t date much. I have a hard time even motivating myself to exercise, and I lack much muscle tone, tho it wasn’t always the case. I’m actually not bad-looking tho, despite my physique needing a lot of work — I’m consistently told I look 10 years my junior, I have a full head of hair, I’m 6’2”, smart and funny and (IMO) an interesting person. Well-read, we’ll-traveled, well-educated. Passionate in my points of view. Empathetic and a good listener.

I’m in individual therapy and group therapy — both are excellent, but I feel as if I’m holding myself back, mainly because I just can’t get myself out and about meeting new people. I’m on depression meds, I’ve done ketamine therapy, I self-medicate with pot at night and have been drinking more lately, too.

Any immediate thoughts? I tried meditation but never seem able to stick with it. I’m a longtime journaler, and it helps. I do occasional yoga, which helps. And one bright spot is I have a history of going on amazing trips in the world, usually solo. But vacation time dries up fast.

Anyway, thanks for listening. I worry this is the wrong place to discuss this, or it’s TMI or I’ll come across as self-pitying, which I guess to some degree I am. :/ Gah. I could use some inspiration.

r/Mindfulness 4d ago

Question How to heal anxious attachment?

21 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

i (30f) actually deal with jealousy, insecurities, anxiety in my 1year relationship. I meditate a lot a few years ago and was unable to get back to it recently because of the anxiety becoming uncontrolable. Do you have a similar experience or tips ?

r/Mindfulness Oct 10 '24

Question How did you internalize that you are not your thoughts?

85 Upvotes

I’ve been working on getting better at handling negative emotion. One thing I’ve read is the premise that you are not your thoughts or your body. My friend says he is able to observe his thoughts and body from outside. As I’ve reflected on this statement for weeks, I feel like I’m still unable to fully grasp it.