WORDS BY JACQUIE WARD, THE BRAVE SPACE

In Passenger’s international hit Let Her Go, songwriter Mike Rosenberg sings the lines:

"You only need the light when it’s burning low, Only miss the sun when it starts to snow."

He’s singing about lost love of course, but the sentiment is very much relevant to our lives today. As much of the globe finds itself in times of unprecedented uncertainty and upheaval in light of the corona virus pandemic, many of us are searching for peace and a sense of security in our day-to-day lives that seems to have gone amiss. Our children are no different of course – for many, this is the first time in their young lives that they have experienced things like lock-downs, that they’ve been unable to connect with friends and family, or have the adventures they might have had previously. We are all craving the freedom and sense of calm we once took for granted.

While we may not be able to influence the state of the pandemic, there are absolutely things we can be doing to restore equilibrium and wellbeing in our homes. Mindfulness – the practice of ‘paying attention, on purpose’ – is the antidote to getting caught up in our feelings and anxieties. The goal of mindfulness isn’t to control your thoughts, it’s to stop letting them control you. Put simply, mindfulness is a state of consciousness in which we intentionally observe what is happening in the present moment in our bodies, our minds and the world around us. By existing in this way, we can acknowledge how we’re feeling, and then, let it go. It’s a deceptively simple concept, but one that has been linked to a whole host of benefits including reduced anxiety and depression, higher self esteem, greater resilience, improved cognitive abilities and lowered stress levels.

It’s likely that you know at least a little about the practice of mindfulness; it’s hard to scroll Instagram or read any media article related to wellbeing without hearing mention of the term. This is no short-term fad however; it originates from ancient Eastern Buddhist tradition and has been practiced by individuals seeking everything from enlightenment to inner peace for literally thousands of years.

So how to do we introduce this into our children’s lives, and into the spaces we create for them?

Children are naturally mindful. You only need to walk in nature with them for a short while to realise this. They get lost in the rhythm of their steps, are fascinated with the texture of leaves they collect, the feel of sand and dirt beneath their toes. The secret is to tap into this inclination and make space for it to bloom. Bedrooms and play areas that have been mindfully created might include soothing colours, unique textiles offering tactile experiences, and décor that speaks to the individual child’s interests. Often it will mean embracing simplicity, choosing a few quality pieces that reflect your aesthetic over an abundance of ‘things’, which in turn allows the space for creativity and calm to preside. It gives our children the opportunity to grow and play, mindfully.

The beauty of mindfulness is that we don’t need to wait for the light to burn low, or the sun to go, to start. Mindfulness can undoubtably help restore a sense of wellbeing during challenging times, but it is just as valuable and important for wellbeing and happiness when things are going well, too. It demands only that we raise our consciousness to prioritise living in the moment. What could be more nourishing?