The Art of Mindfulness: Mantras

On my 24th birthday I was based out in Mexico with my work and, if we’re being honest, very unhappy. A member of my team, and fellow yogi, sent me a mantra on that day. It was an audio recording of the mantra itself, followed by a ‘translation.’ It was such a lovely thought, especially as my colleague knew I was alone on my birthday. It got me thinking about mantras, and the kind of messages we send ourselves. Whilst I’m not quite there with a ‘proper’ yogic mantra, I do have several phrases that keep me going when the shit hits the fan. I didn’t even realize I used them until I was stuck on a long train journey a few days ago, and my mind started to wander. So here they are:

1. Put it in the suck-it bucket

Inspired by Gina Linetti from Brooklyn Nine Nine. This is her way of saying IDGAF to the world, her colleagues, or her boss. It’s so succinct and I love it for that reason; it’s a way of saying ‘It sucks! Move on.’

A true idol

2. Put your big girl panties on and deal with it

This got me through a rough start to my year spent living in Colombia as a student. So much so, that I had it as the desktop background on my laptop. It has the same spirit as the previous one- suck it up!

3. You have a plan

I repeated these words to myself during a pretty miserable and rainy 10K race. Everything had gone wrong the morning of the race and I in no way felt prepared. One thing I had managed to do, however, was work out Plan A and B splits. I knew I had some sort of plan, and I just had to stick to it even when my confidence waned. And it worked- I got a personal best.

4. This too shall pass

This is a piece of wisdom used throughout literature, both secular and religious. However the context that brought it to my attention was Shoot the Damn Dog by Sally Brampton, one of my favourite books on the subject of mental illness. I didn’t even realize where I’d absorbed this mantra from until a recent re-reading of the book, but it’s seen me through some tough times, including the death of a close and dearly-loved relative. It reminds you not only that everything bad is transient, but that everything is. A nice little piece of wisdom there.

Do you have any sayings or phrases that keep you inspired? Or that keep you going when times get rough? Share them with me! 🙂

Lots of love

Pippa