A Manual for Mindful Living 

Published by Aster

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Mindfulness isn’t just meditation – it can be used everywhere and at any time.

When we begin to apply mindfulness to our lifestyle as a whole, we begin to build

a more conscious relationship with the things we eat, the spaces we spend time in,

the way we move our bodies and the stories we tell ourselves.

The concept of ‘Wellfulness’ means using mindfulness for greater wellness in body and mind. Through the practice of conscious acceptance and conscious change; being mindful is at the core of wellness, be it within food, movement, values, rituals, habits, mindset, our inhabited spaces or our relationships.

 

The Wellfulness Project is a manual for mindful living, combining personal experience, mindfulness theory and ritual tools to create a practical guide to achieving a more harmonious relationship with our wellness and wellbeing.

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"In the past, I have punished my body, my mind and my happiness in striving towards  a ‘healthy, happy life’. There is a wealth of information out there on ‘how to be healthy’, from diets to workouts, from the new superfood ingredients to ways to declutter your

home, but not all of them work for us. The problem is, so often we push through them, at best continuing something that doesn’t nourish, serve or make us happy, and at worst punishing ourselves relentlessly with practices that do not work, creating our own suffering as we rally against the things we cannot change in our lives.

In my early twenties, I embarked on a journey towards creating a healthier lifestyle. There was so much information out there – from how, what and when to eat and exercise, to different meditative practices, to bedtime and sleep rituals – and I enthusiastically tried all of it. I spent 5 months on the ‘Atkins diet’ – an all protein diet which could supposedly help me lose those last few pounds, I spent hours and hours running and on the cross trainer because ‘cardio is king’, and bought teas, shakes and tablets to support my health goals. The thing is, I did these things without any awareness around how it all made me feel. I ate an all-protein diet even though I dislike meat. I pounded the pavement night after night despite finding running boring and ineffective. And more than that, I spent time doing things I had no interest in to try and please people who didn’t support me; neglecting my true passions and people in my life who make me laugh, think, and be a better human being.

As I have integrated mindfulness into my world from the food I eat, the way I move, and more recently to the space and people that surround me and the daily routine by which I live my life, I feel healthier and happier in my body and mind. I know what works for me and what doesn’t, I no longer become trapped by the things that do not nourish or serve me. And if and when I do try exciting new health trends, meet new people or try new hobbies, I can identify through ‘Conscious Acceptance’ whether they nourish my health, my mind and my heart, and from there I can practice ‘Conscious Change’ to identify creative and compassionate choices around whether I continue, or let this new practice go.

I hope to share how easy it is to integrate mindfulness into our lives on a holistic level, dispel some of the myths around it, and make it more accessible for everyone and anyone who cares about their wellness and wellbeing.

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Mindfulness isn’t just meditation – it can be used everywhere and at any time. When we begin to apply mindfulness to our lifestyle as a whole, we begin to build a more conscious relationship with the things we eat, the spaces we spend time in, the way we move our bodies and the stories we tell ourselves.

Through my own experiences, and easy mindfulness theory, ritual and practical tools, I believe we can begin to find a more harmonious relationship with our wellness and wellbeing, to find the practices that work for us, and live a more balanced and authentically healthy life, both physically and mentally. To me, the concept of ‘Wellfulness’ means using mindfulness for greater wellness in body and mind. I believe that through the practice of conscious acceptance and conscious change; being mindful is at the core of wellness, be it within food, movement, values, rituals, habits, mindset, our inhabited spaces or our relationships." -  Ali 

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