This 30-day experiment has been terrific. I learned so much from trying to be mindful every day. It was a challenge to document the process perfectly (and perfection is SO overrated anyway), so after the days I didn’t write, I tried to go back and think about ways I had been mindful.

One of the things I realized pretty quickly was that by taking deliberate action to make that one small change - to be more mindful as I went about my day - it started happening organically, without having to think about it very often. I can see how continuing this practice (which I’m doing) beyond the original 30 days is going to have a positive long-term impact on my daily life.

In terms of inspiring others or impacting people in my life, it was fun to have friends and ChronicBabe readers participate. They came up with some creative and inspiring ways to celebrate the project, and I received a good number of emails from folks who said they were already feeling the positive effects of mindfulness. So I’m very happy my project had a positive impact on other people!

Part of the work I do as a health writer and advocate is create projects like this, so it was fun to be part of one that someone else kicked off (thanks, Angie!); it was nice to participate instead of lead, especially with a goal of mindfulness, which is something you can’t “force” or “schedule” - you just have to keep it in mind and keep practicing. It was lovely.

Thanks to everyone who joined in! And I’ll keep this blog going, so if you want to join the fun even now after the original 30 days have passed, please feel free. Peace, Jenni