Personal Essays

First-person stories about what mindfulness looks like in real, messy, everyday life. These essays are honest, personal, and often funny - written by people who've found that paying attention changes everything.
people building heart
Magazine
Can Mindfulness Save Democracy? 

Politics have a way of sparking anger within us. By introducing a little mindfulness, we begin to create the space we need to shift out of old patterns. Read More 

  • Nate Klemp
  • July 15, 2019
Crushed pinata
Magazine
Why Happiness Isn’t Always Comfortable 

Most of us believe that happiness comes from living a stress-free life. But our greatest challenges may hold the secret to uncovering our greatest joys, writes Elaine Smookler. Read More 

  • Elaine Smookler
  • June 18, 2019
superwoman
Loving-Kindness & Compassion
Three Ways to Foster Self-Worth 

When self-doubt takes over, we can begin to lose our sense of purpose and identity. Here’s how you can be more confident in the choices you make. Read More 

  • Amber Tucker
  • June 14, 2019
How to Overcome Trauma
Depression & Grief
How to Recognize and Overcome Trauma 

Trauma is an emotional response to a negative event. Coming to realise that you might actually be traumatised is the first step in healing. Read More 

  • Nicole Bayes-Fleming
  • June 7, 2019
woman gardening
Gratitude
How to Befriend Your Life As It Is 

Learning to befriend all moments places us firmly in the life we are living, rather than the ideal life we are prone to imagine or strive towards. Read More 

  • Willem Kuyken
  • June 4, 2019
A man in a blue shirt and cap examines leaves on a plant.
Creativity
The Secrets of Mindful Gardening 

Touring the San Francisco Botanical Garden with master landscaper and contemplative gardener Peter Good reveals what curiosity and attention can teach us about gardens—and gardeners. Read More 

  • Karin Evans
  • May 29, 2019
woman climbing rocks. courage
Magazine
Five Ways to Cultivate Courage 

Courage does not always mean the absence of fear. Sometimes, it means being scared, worried, unsure—and yet still finding a way to do what you need to do. Read More 

  • Shelly Tygielski
  • May 22, 2019
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