Go off autopilot

Turn a routine action into something more mindful

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of I Heart Radio.
Good Morning, This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
Today's tip is to go off autopilot. By nudging ourselves
out of mindlessness, we can be more mindful and hopefully happier.

(00:28):
Today's tip, like a few this week, comes from Melissa
Staginus's book Everyday Mindfulness. This book features over a hundred
ideas for introducing mindfulness into daily life. Number forty seven
is attend to autopilot. Melissa writes, like most people, you
probably spend a lot of time doing things on autopilot,

(00:50):
washing the dishes, commuting to work, cleaning, running errands, and
so on. But she says there is much to be
gained by being present, that is, paying attention during your
everyday tasks and routines. Everything you do can be an
opportunity to cultivate mindfulness and gratitude. Now, of course, there's

(01:15):
a reason our brains go on autopilot. Sometimes we do
many things routinely, and our brains can't be firing seven.
Going on autopilot free up our brains to daydream, to
process things that have happened, or just to relax. That said,
too much autopilot makes life seem to disappear. Our most

(01:40):
memorable times when time seems to slow down are when
we are paying close attention to everything that's going on.
Think about a vacation somewhere exotic. You are noticing everything
because it's all so different, and the time before breakfast

(02:00):
on the first day can feel like a fortnight at home.
You probably aren't going to Morocco or Cambodia or the
Arctic anytime soon, but you can pay attention and go
off autopilot for a little while. Even in everyday life.
Melissa suggests that you choose one thing you usually do
on autopilot and pay close attention to that activity. So,

(02:23):
for instance, she suggests that you drive in silence to
practice positive self talk, or meditate as you clean the house.
While cooking, eating and washing dishes, silently express your gratitude
for good food and clean water. She says, even the
most mundane moments can bring wonder if you try. I

(02:45):
wrote this at the beginning of November. For about a week,
I could see a blazingly red maple tree out the
kitchen window as I was doing the dishes. I make
a point of buying nice smelling dish, soap, lavender, pear
me in that sort of thing, and warm water feels
good on cold hands. Even laundry can bring a smile

(03:07):
when I look at tiny baby socks. Then this transforms
into exasperation when I can't find the matching sock. Tiny
baby socks inevitably get lost, but their fleeting tininess can
jar you out of autopilot for a while. So today,
choose one routine thing to make less automatic. Smell those

(03:30):
coffee beans, Notice the brilliance of a cooking pan or
a spoon. It took humanity a long time to figure
these things out. Same thing with your buttons and zippers,
not to mention furnaces that generate nice, pleasant levels of heat.
As you set the thermostat, you can pause and pay attention.

(03:54):
A little bit of mindfulness makes daily life memorable, and
memorable days don't slip unnoticed into the past. In the meantime.
This is Laura. Thanks for listening, and here's to making
the most of our time. Hey, everybody, I'd love to

(04:19):
hear from you. You can send me your tips, your questions,
or anything else. Just connect with me on Twitter, Facebook
and Instagram at Before Breakfast pod. That's b the number
four then Breakfast p o D. You can also shoot
me an email at Before Breakfast podcast at i heeart
media dot com that before Breakfast is spelled out with

(04:41):
all the letters. Thanks so much, I look forward to
staying in touch. Before Breakfast is a production of I
Heart Radio. For more podcasts from my heart Radio, visit
the i heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or where ever
you listen to your favorite shows. H m hm