Why you should spend time with yourself

"Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I am committed to cultivating good health, both physical and mental, for myself, my family, and my society by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming" 

- Thich Nhat Hanh on The Nourishment and Healing Path

Image by MabelAmber from Pixabay

Is it really necessary to live in over indulgence?

These past five years I have come to understand how living simply is one of the keys to happiness within yourself and a joyful life.

The above quote comes from Hanh's book The Art of Living, and it is one of his Five Mindfulness Trainings. These five trainings are paths. Not paths TO happiness and freedom, but paths OF happiness and freedom. The paths should help bring us happiness while we are on it, but I do think that it is a process. As I am currently going through it, I can attest to this. 

Part of being mindful of your mental health means that you spend time with yourself.

Hanh calls it mindful walking and sitting. Essentially it is meditation. 

What do we find ourselves doing when we are feeling lonely? Do we fill that void by shopping

for materials we might not need? Perhaps we mindlessly scroll through photos or videos on our phones? Or grab the greasiest and unhealthiest food we can find and binge? We tend to do it to avoid our feelings; to cover them up, but it only ends up resurfacing later. Then the cycle begins again.  

What if we change that? What if we save our shopping for when we actually need something, and eat when we are actually hungry?

What if instead, we go somewhere quiet and sit, or go for a nice walk and enjoy our own company? No phones, no music, no talking; only focusing on our own bodies moving limb by limb. Our own belly expanding and contracting with each breath. Thoughts coming to our minds, being accepted and let go. 

I will admit that it is not easy; however, I know that with practice I will be able to cope with not necessarily loneliness, but other emotional challenges that may arise. It will help process my feelings, and be okay.

Often times we take ourselves for granted. If we start having negative thoughts towards our own being, let's remember we have our own presence to acknowledge, to show compassion to, and to love.

How often do you remember to show compassion to yourself?