Reflecting back on the past 9 weeks, I realized that practicing mindfulness can have a profound impact on various aspects of my life, including increasing gratitude, promoting calmness, enhancing self-care, achieving a peaceful state of mind, and helping me stay grounded during stressful periods like midterm weeks.

Mindfulness allows me to focus on the present moment and cultivate a sense of appreciation for what is happening around me. The walks in Aldrich Park without students walking around and occupying the park made me realize how beautiful our campus truly is. By practicing gratitude in my daily life, I become more aware of the positive aspects and experiences, fostering a deeper sense of gratitude for even the small things like the pink blossoms or crunchy leaves on the concrete. 

These mindfulness practices helped me detach from overwhelming thoughts and external pressures by redirecting my attention to what I was writing in my journal. By practicing techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or body scans, I find moments of calmness and regain focus even in the midst of school-related stress or a busy study schedule. I feel this when I complete the activity late at night especially after a long day.