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.
gold mirror with text objects in mirror may be younger than they appear. anti-aging
Magazine
Anti-Aging? No Thanks 

Denial—even resistance—to getting older is a natural impulse. But what if we embraced our impermanence? Read More 

  • Elaine Smookler
  • April 1, 2017
two goldfish in a bowl turned away from each other
Magazine
What is Love? 

There is no single answer to that profound question. Nor should there be. When Barbara Graham sought deeper connection within her decades-long marriage, she discovered that love is not something we can find and make perfect: it's a mindset. Read More 

  • Barbara Graham and Tara Brach
  • April 1, 2017
Magazine
How to Stop Your Stories From Running Your Life 

Research shows us that we not only have the capacity to pay attention to and stop the chatter of our stories, but we can also reduce our stress, rewire our brains, and reinvent our relationships by responding to them differently. Read More 

  • B Grace Bullock PhD
  • March 27, 2017
man checking map on table
Learn
What You Practice Grows Stronger 

When it comes to making changes, we all have one habit in common that holds us back: self-judgement. The neuroscience of mindfulness suggests lasting change requires a softer touch. Read More 

  • Mindful Staff
  • March 24, 2017
woman holding compass in mountains
Magazine
The Art of Easing into Change 

Change is inevitable, yet it's often met with resistance. Through mindfulness, we can cultivate an attitude of acceptance, and regain some agency. Read More 

  • Theo Koffler
  • March 8, 2017
illustration boxing glove on a spring. fight back
Magazine
Fight Back Without Empowering What You’re Fighting Against 

We should always fight for what’s right. But when we’re on the defensive, our brains contract around that feeling, and that affects how we respond—with more reactivity (we've all seen our friends Facebook updates lately), which can stifle skillful action. How do we let go, and still keep going? Read More 

  • Stephany Tlalka
  • February 23, 2017
How to Let Go of Ego - Selfish girl and society flat vector illustration. Arrogant young woman not seeing angry people. Social problem and communication concept.
Focus & Attention
How To Let Go of Ego 

When we can find ways to slip free of our ego, we enter a “flow state” where time and judgment don’t matter and joy overtakes us. Read More 

  • Judson Brewer
  • February 8, 2017
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