Am I overdoing mindfulness?

[mark_cdf]

I completed the 8 week finding peace in a frantic world programme 3 years ago, I kept it up for a short while after but pretty much fell off the mindfulness wagon, just dipping in every now and then where I felt I needed it. Over the past few weeks I’ve been feeling quite anxious so started the programme again from week 1, I’m currently on week 3. I’ve found I’m so desperate to feel good again I might be overdoing it? Is this possible? I’m doing the recommended tracks 3 x per day rather than twice, and also doing a few 3-minute breathing spaces but also doing sometime 20-30 minutes of non-guided meditation. I’m constantly trying to do things like shower, drink tea, etc. mindfully too and every walk has become a mindful walk. Am I doing too much? In people’s experience, should I reign myself back in and stick to the suggested times? I realise that I’m probably striving to feel good rather than approaching it without a goal. Any thoughts or suggestions? Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks
Mark

[Gareth]

Hi Mark,

In my opinion, consistency is the key to this. It's important to practise in the good times as well as the bad times.

Non-striving is a very important part of this, as you have correctly identified, and I think that it's definitely possible to be trying too hard. Mindfulness is ultimately very, very simple but it's also very, very hard at times.

My advice to you would be to keep practising consistently and try and remember that you won't always feel the way you do right now. It's hard I know, but I promise you it's true.

I hope that you get some peace soon.

[JonW]

"I realise that I’m probably striving to feel good rather than approaching it without a goal."

Hi Mark. The fact that your questioning this is mindfulness itself. Just notice when you find yourself striving. See that noticing as part of the practice. Keep reminding yourself that the aim of mindfulness is not to manipulate our experience so that we feel a certain way. If there is an aim, it's simply to be.
Let us know how you get on.
Cheers,
Jon

[mark_cdf]

Thanks both. I've reigned things in a bit this week and finding it much much easier now I'm not 'trying' to be mindful all the time.

I've always struggled with the non-striving aspect of mindfulness!

Thanks
Mark