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Mindfulness DBT: Observe-3

User Profile: EmunahHere
EmunahHere January 21st, 2018

In our Mindfulness DBT series, we've been discussing the DBT "what" skill of observing. You can review what this skill means by reading "Mindfulness & DBT Skill - Observe". smiley

Let's Practice Observation

Step 1. Pick a daily activity that you tend to hurry through or mindlessly do; examples may be eating, showering, brushing teeth, cleaning, laundry, or anything where your mind seems to wander to future tasks or past experiences.

Step 2. It's time to fully engage your senses (sounds, smells, sights, textures, temperatures, tastes) and take a non-judgmental (what you experience is not good/bad or right/wrong) approach to your activity. Notice what you sense; you can say it to yourself or in your head or simply just be--either way, do your best to remain in the present moment by engaging your senses, and if your mind wanders, it's okay; just return to your senses and keep observing!

Step 3. Share your experience with us below! What was your activity, and what did you sense? What was challenging, and what was easy?

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10
January 21st, 2018

@EmunahHere

I chose working on my computer as my Observation point. Just making a visual picture in my head. I am seated at the kitchen table on a hard chair that is firm and tall. My fingers are typing and yes my mind is running around but I bring myself back but now I am stuck can't go on.

So I let go and stop

2 replies
User Profile: EmunahHere
EmunahHere OP January 22nd, 2018

@scarletPear1945

Great job, Scarlet smiley You were able to notice how chair feels and apply descriptions to your experience, which is great! You were also able to recognize when you needed to "let go" of your thoughts or take a break from mindfulness practice heart Keep going; you're doing awesome!

1 reply
January 23rd, 2018

@EmunahHere

REALLY?????

Oh how greatlaugh

Thanks

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User Profile: amiablePeace77
amiablePeace77 January 22nd, 2018

@EmunahHere

this morning when i was having my breakfast i realized all over sudden that i just put the cereal in the mouth and my thoughts were elsewhere. i came back to the present moment and consciously tasted the cereal (noting that next time i have to bake it longer, a bit too soft), tasting the banana and the almond milk. i still need a lot of practise to learn how to eat mindfully. it was nice to come back, at least i noted it.

User Profile: RumpleSteeleSkin
RumpleSteeleSkin January 22nd, 2018

@EmunahHere

Emunah thank you for this wonderful post. Observing is a good skill to learn for everyone. Only thing is...trying not to be judgemental on anythingsad You said to share on what we did and just observe....

Well as some know I have been building a hedge hog cage and all the stuff in it. I lost our precious little fizzgizz yesterday. So of course my thoughts are all over. Missing him of course. So I thought I'd really try and just Observe my thoughts, screwing in the wood nails, lining everything up, how the wood felt and smelt. I did just that with a few times thinking on Fizzgizz. I love the smell of wood and nails going through it. Didn't like my skin getting affected by holding the wood nail while I drilled them in-OUCH and bandaids.

But I did enjoy seeing the cage come more togetherheartheart

2 replies
User Profile: EmunahHere
EmunahHere OP January 22nd, 2018

@RumpleSteeleSkin

aww, Rumple, I am sorry for your loss May Fizzgizzs memory be for a blessing.

1 reply
User Profile: RumpleSteeleSkin
RumpleSteeleSkin January 22nd, 2018

@EmunahHere

Thanks Emmunahheart

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User Profile: JayTheBird14
JayTheBird14 January 22nd, 2018

@EmunahHere

Since I got the task of vaccuuming the entire house, I chose that as my excersise for observation. Normally, I turn up some music (loudly so I can hear it over all the noise) and get it over with. Not this time. I kept myself focussed to my task and actually noticed that I normally skip a lot of small spaces (which were really gross, ugh). So by keeping my focus on the task at hand, I did a better job.

I also noticed afterwards that my head was nice and calm, no lingering thoughts about anything. I felt like I had just done a 15 minute meditation!

2 replies
User Profile: EmunahHere
EmunahHere OP January 22nd, 2018

@JayTheBird14

Hey, Jay smiley Like you've noticed, the observation skill is nice for tasks that we find boring and want to rush through like vacuuming! That's awesome that you were able to notice the little spots that you seem to skip over when rushing through; mindfulness helps us be more efficient in whatever tasks that we do and have new experiences heart Great work!

User Profile: EmunahHere
EmunahHere OP January 22nd, 2018

@JayTheBird14

Hey, Jay smiley Like you've noticed, the observation skill is nice for tasks that we find boring and want to rush through like vacuuming! That's awesome that you were able to notice the little spots that you seem to skip over when rushing through; mindfulness helps us be more efficient in whatever tasks that we do and have new experiences heart Great work!

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