Today, I am living a healthy life and working energetically, but in the past I went through deep pet loss and also struggled with various mental health challenges.
I’m not the type of person who is mentally strong. If anything, I tend to be a rather negative thinker. A few years after losing my beloved pet, I also experienced depression.
(Read more about my depression experience here.)
It was during that difficult time that someone (a physical therapist) recommended meditation to me.
My First Encounter with Meditation and Mindfulness
That therapist often spoke about the word mindfulness.
Today you hear the term more frequently, but around 2010 it was still unfamiliar, and honestly, I was a little skeptical. Over ten years later, we now see mindfulness being mentioned in the sports world, in business, and even among celebrities.
The word meditation may sound intimidating or complicated. But when you hear professional athletes or public figures talk about mindfulness, it somehow feels easier to relate to, doesn’t it?
Back in 2010, I practiced meditation myself.
(Read more about my meditation experience here.)
At that time, meditation was very difficult for me. Sometimes it worked, and when it did, I felt as if my vision opened up and my mind became incredibly clear. But soon I would fall back into old patterns.
Since it didn’t always succeed, I eventually stopped meditating. The truth is—it was just too difficult for me.
And now, years later, I have once again returned to practicing mindfulness. Unlike traditional meditation, mindfulness feels much simpler and easier to practice. It looks similar to meditation at first glance, but you can apply it in daily life without much effort.
In this category of my blog, I will be sharing how I practice mindfulness and the effects it has had on me.
Living with Anxiety
I often struggle with anxiety. I worry about the future, about work, about my pets—really about many things.
I’ve learned that people who tend to worry easily may benefit the most from mindfulness practice.
When I was in a depressive state, I could almost feel negative thoughts attacking me. It was as if an “anxious creature” was slowly approaching and then lunging at me.
After that, my depression would deepen. Some people describe it as “falling into a dark place,” and if you’ve experienced it, you may understand what I mean.
Mindfulness, however, seems to be a way to control or calm down that “anxious creature.”
From now on, I would like to share my personal experiences, methods, and perspectives on how mindfulness can help manage anxiety and negative thoughts.
Why I Decided to Write About Mindfulness
I create pet memorial goods.
I love knitting and I love animals, so I design knitted cushions and blankets that faithfully recreate a pet’s photo in yarn—not printing, but actual stitches.
When customers order these cushions, they often share their stories of pet loss with me. And I’ve noticed that over the years, these struggles seem to be becoming more and more serious.
That’s why I decided to share my own experiences and knowledge of mindfulness.
If what I’ve gone through can ease even a little bit of someone’s sadness, then this blog will have served its purpose.
