What is Mindfulness? A guide

What is Mindfulness? A guide

By Mindful List Team •
MindfulnessMeditationAttentionPresent MomentCoffee
Learn what mindfulness is, how it differs from meditation, and how to practice it in everyday activities, like making coffee.

Have you heard the word "mindfulness" before? It's a way of paying attention to what's happening right now, without worrying about the past or the future. It's like being a detective for your own life, noticing all the little details of what you're seeing, hearing, feeling, and thinking.

Mindfulness vs. Meditation: What's the Difference?

Sometimes people get mindfulness mixed up with meditation, and they're definitely related! Meditation is often a practice that can help you develop mindfulness. It's like going to the gym to get stronger. Meditation is like the workout, and mindfulness is like being strong and fit in your everyday life.

Meditation is usually a specific time you set aside to focus your attention, often on your breath, a sound, or a word. You might sit quietly, close your eyes, and try to calm your mind.

Mindfulness, on the other hand, is something you can do anytime, while you're doing anything! It's about bringing that focused attention to whatever you're doing in your daily life.

Mindful Coffee: A Delicious Example

Let's take something we do every day: making coffee. Most of the time, we make coffee on autopilot. We're thinking about our to-do list, our plans for the day, or what we're going to do after. But what if we made coffee mindfully?

Here's how:

  • See: Notice the color of the coffee beans, the steam rising from the kettle, the rich brown of the brewed coffee.
  • Smell: Inhale the aroma of the freshly ground beans, the fragrant steam, the warm, comforting scent of the coffee.
  • Feel: Pay attention to the weight of the coffee scoop in your hand, the warmth of the mug, the smooth texture of the milk or cream.
  • Hear: Listen to the sound of the water pouring, the grinder whirring, the spoon stirring.
  • Taste: When you finally take a sip, really savor the flavor. Notice the different notes, the warmth, and how it makes you feel.

When you make coffee mindfully, it's not just a chore. It becomes a small, enjoyable experience. You can bring this kind of attention to anything you do – washing dishes, walking, talking to a friend. Mindfulness helps us appreciate the simple things and find joy in the present moment.

Russ Harris, a doctor, therapist, and author, renowned for advancing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which integrates mindfulness with behavioral change, has a great video on this. Watch it here

Hope it helps

Last updated: 23 March 2025