Temporarily stopped formal practice.

[James123]

Hi Guys,

A couple of days before Christmas I stopped halfway through week 6 of FPIAFW. A week or so before that I was ill halfway through week 5 and stopped for about 5 days then also.

I tried to continue with the informal practices, but it was on a small scale and when I actually remembered to be mindful.

Therefore, where do the experienced 'mindfulnessers' suggest I re-start?

Thanks.

[FeeHutch]

I'd suggest re-starting where ever feels right to you. Maybe spend some time considering the options and go with what draws you to it the most?

This is one of those times where you have to trust your gut instinct, even if it takes you a while to figure out what that is. Sometimes I find writing out my thoughts helps me come to a decision too.

[JonW]

If memory serves, it's Mark William and Danny Penman who suggest, in Finding Peace In A Frantic World, that, if you stop the 8-week course at any time, it's worth considering going back to the start when you're good and ready. But there are no hard or fast rules here. Except, be kind to yourself.
Wishing you all the best and hoping you'll be back here to let us know how you're getting along.
Cheers, Jon

[Gareth]

You've got your whole life to get your mindfulness practice going, so take it easy and as Jon says, be kind to yourself.

It's been Christmas, and goodness knows, a few of my own goals have slipped by the wayside.

[James123]

Thanks guys.

I'll have a little think over the weekend and see what feels right, but seeing as it's a new year I may well start at the beginning again.

As an aside, I may well be starting to read a book based on combating anxiety which I believe has other practices to carry out. I assume its OK to do this along with FPIAFW?

[piedwagtail91]

i'd not combine two sorts of 'therapy'
mindfulness is a big commitment that can take up most of your time.
personally i'd choose one or the other.
we don't advise anyone to come on our course if they're currently doing another therapy even cbt.

i think if you do stay with mindfulness then i'd start again.
it won't do any harm, it's all mindful meditation.
good luck with whatever you choose.
i hope it helps.

[James123]

Decided to go back to week 1 starting from this coming Monday. I was missing it and quite surprised how quickly mindfulness and being mindful is to forget.

Piedwagtail, the book I referred to above has zero "therapy" exercises in it so I'm sure it will be fine to read alongside FPIAFW.

Still kicking myself because I really did take it on as a wholehearted commitment as suggested by JBZ in the forward, so although in real terms I didn't waste almost 6 weeks, it's still annoying that I messed up. Have to remember to be kind to myself though!

But for some reason I've got a feeling that doing the first 5 weeks again will only help me to gain a deeper understanding of the essence of mindfulness because it was tricky to 'get' the first time around.

[JonW]

"For some reason I've got a feeling that doing the first 5 weeks again will only help me to gain a deeper understanding of the essence of mindfulness because it was tricky to 'get' the first time around."
Sounds like a wise move, James.
It can be tricky to "get", if only because it's so simple in essence that the pesky mind goes in search of a complexity that isn't there.
Jon Kabat-Zinn said it best: "Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.”
That's really all there is to it.
Good things, Jon