In episode 71 of the Mindful Actions podcast, I tackle a topic that I think many of us can relate to: the pressure to “do mindfulness right.” If you’ve ever found yourself feeling like you need to stay calm, collected, and present all the time to be “mindful,” this episode is for you. I’m here to break down the myth of perfection in mindfulness and share how embracing your humanness, even when things feel challenging, is the real key to progress.
Mindfulness Is About Progress, Not Perfection
The core message I want to share in this episode is that mindfulness isn’t about being perfect. I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of thinking that mindfulness means you need to totally clear your head and be calm and present every moment of the day, but that’s not the goal. Instead, mindfulness is about learning, growing, and most importantly, being kind to yourself when things don’t go as planned.
We all experience a full range of emotions—anger, frustration, sadness. And instead of judging ourselves for these feelings, mindfulness gives us the tools to notice them and accept them without criticism. Being human means having emotions, and practicing mindfulness means learning to navigate them with compassion rather than self-judgment.
Let Yourself Feel Without Judgment
One of the most important messages I want to emphasize is the importance of allowing yourself to feel difficult emotions without attaching judgment to them. It’s completely normal to feel angry, frustrated, or sad, and trying to suppress these emotions in the name of “being mindful” can often make things worse.
I share some personal stories in this episode to show that even I experience moments when my emotions get the best of me. If you’re dedicated to vacation planning, you’re going to relate to me in this episode! These moments of “letting go” aren’t failures—they’re opportunities to practice self-compassion. By acknowledging those emotions and letting them move through me, I’m able to move forward in a more grounded way.
Handling Emotional Moments With Compassion
Emotional moments can be intense, but mindfulness can help us deal with both the before and after of these situations. Before an emotional reaction hits, mindfulness allows us to pause and respond with thoughtfulness instead of reacting out of instinct. But just as important is how we treat ourselves after those moments have passed.
I know from experience that it’s easy to be hard on yourself when you don’t react correctly. But first of all, what does it even mean to react “correctly”? It’s only how YOU think the situation is supposed to go. The other people that are a part of it, may think a different reaction is the “correct” one.
Mindfulness teaches us to show ourselves grace in these situations. Instead of berating yourself for not being “mindful enough,” try offering yourself some kindness. Growth isn’t about getting it right every time—it’s about learning and being gentle with yourself along the way.
Sharing My Personal Stories to Embrace Imperfection
Throughout this episode, I share some of my own experiences to highlight the real-life challenges of staying mindful. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs in my mindfulness practice, and I think it’s important to be honest about that. I’m not presenting myself as some perfect mindfulness expert; I’m on this same journey, just like you.
I hope that by sharing my own struggles, I can help normalize the fact that mindfulness is a journey. There will be moments of peace and clarity, but there will also be moments where it feels like everything is falling apart. And that’s okay.
Mindful Action: The Compassionate Reflection
To wrap things up, I’ve included a “Mindful Action” for you to try: The Compassionate Reflection. This exercise is all about practicing self-compassion when you’re being hard on yourself. Here’s how it works: think back to a recent situation where you feel like you didn’t handle things as well as you wanted to. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, ask yourself:
- What can I learn from this experience?
- How can I be kinder to myself moving forward?
The Compassionate Reflection is designed to shift your mindset from self-criticism to self-compassion, helping you recognize that we’re all works in progress, and that’s perfectly okay.
Embrace Imperfection Key Takeaways:
- You’re not supposed to be mindful all the time—being human means experiencing a full range of emotions.
- It’s important to allow yourself to feel anger, frustration, or sadness without judgment.
- Mindfulness helps you handle emotionally charged moments with greater awareness and self-compassion.
- I share personal stories to illustrate the ongoing nature of mindfulness and personal growth.
- Try the Compassionate Reflection exercise to practice self-kindness in challenging moments.
If this episode resonates with you, don’t forget to subscribe to Mindful Actions for more insights on mindful living. I want to remind you that we’re all on this journey together, and it’s okay if you don’t have it all figured out. Share this episode with someone who might need a little extra encouragement today, and let’s continue normalizing the ups and downs of this beautiful, imperfect journey of mindfulness.
Thanks for reading and listening! I am a certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher, practitioner, and enthusiast. Connect with me for more mindfulness, meditation, and self acceptance resources. I’m most active on Threads, because I love the written word. But I also post daily mindset motivation on Instagram. And of course, you can find a variety of guided meditations on YouTube!
