Finding Calm in the Storm: A Meditation for Rumination
G'day from sunny, beautiful Barossa region in South Australia!
I found myself up with the birds this morning(yep, 4 am), my mind wandering to that familiar spiral we all know too well – aaah. The washing machine cycle of rumination.
You know what I mean, right? (We look into each other's eyes knowingly)
Those thoughts that circle back, again and again...always finding their way back, no matter how far you try to manage them into oblivion.
As I sipped my morning black coffee, Adrian and Riley, my adorably chaotic kittens (and yes, I named one after my husband, but that is another story), provided their usual entertainment. There they were, tumbling across the living room floor, paws tangled together, utterly oblivious to anything but their playful wrestling match.
I couldn't help but stop and laugh at their antics – they just looked so full of joy.....so happy...
And then it hit me.
Our thoughts can get just as tangled up, can't they?
What Kittens Teach Us About Living in the Moment
Have you ever truly watched kittens at play?
There's something magical about their complete immersion in whatever they're doing. This morning, Riley pounced on a dust particle floating in a sunbeam stretched across the room( reminding me to do a better job with the dusting) – not worrying about yesterday's failed jump or tomorrow's feeding time.
Just fully engaged with that single, floating speck.
Adrian, meanwhile, was fascinated by his own tail – chasing it with the intensity of a hunter, then completely forgetting about it when a rustling paper caught his attention.
No rumination there, just pure presence.
These furry little teachers demonstrate what mindfulness experts have been telling us for years: true joy exists in the present moment.
Kittens don't replay past mistakes, endlessly attempt to resolve issues or anxiously anticipate future challenges.
They simply experience what is happening right now with their whole being.
When they play, they commit entirely. When they rest, they surrender completely.
When they're startled, they react or respond – then let it go almost immediately.
No hard feelings...No grudges, no rehearsing better responses for next time, just moving on to the next experience.
What if we could approach life with even a fraction of that presence? What if, like kittens, we could fully engage with what's right in front of us instead of getting tangled in the web of our thoughts?
A Little Something I've Created for You
I've been working on a course to help with overthinking (more on that soon!), but in the meantime, I wanted to share something special with you. I've recorded a guided meditation that starts as a gentle conversation with instructions on how to manage rumination and flows into a soothing body scan.
It's designed to help untangle those knotted thoughts – much like I have to untangle Adrian from the curtains at least twice a day! This meditation will guide you through visualizations that create space between you and those persistent thoughts.
What to Expect in the Meditation
We'll explore safe spaces in your mind, release thoughts like balloons drifting into the sky, and connect with nature's calming presence. There's something powerful about imagining a candle flame transforming your worries into light.
The body scan at the end helps bring you back to the present moment – something my kittens excel at teaching! They're constantly reminding me that while my mind might be in yesterday or tomorrow, my body is always right here, right now.
Why We Ruminate
Our brains are just doing what they evolved to do – keep us safe by spotting problems. But for those of us who've weathered some storms, this instinct can shift into hypervigilance. One small worry becomes a snowball rolling downhill, gathering size and speed.
I have seen this pattern with many clients.
The good news? With practice and the right techniques, we can redirect this mental energy toward a kitten-like presence.
Come Join Me
Whether you're looking for one-on-one support through online counselling, wanting to boost your physical wellbeing with personal training, or simply enjoying these little glimpses into life with two crazy kittens in South Australia – I'd love to connect with you.
I am still working on the course ( out probably two weeks...i will let you know), but the meditation is available now, link attached, and I can't wait to share this journey with you. Sometimes the most powerful changes come from the simplest practices – like observing the natural mindfulness of kittens at play.
Until then, I'll be here – probably fishing Riley out from under the couch or watching Adrian attempt to climb the bookshelf for the hundredth time. These little moments of joy, these lessons in presence, are what life's all about, aren't they?
Sending oodles of sunshine and so many calm thoughts from South Australia,
P.S. If you're struggling with persistent rumination and would like more personalised support, my online counselling sessions might be just what you need. And if you're looking to complement your mental wellbeing with physical health, let's discuss online personal training as well. Sometimes a holistic approach makes all the difference! laurenostrowskifenton.simplybook.me/v2/
Lauren Ostrowski Fenton
Finding Calm in the Storm: A Meditation for Rumination
G'day from sunny, beautiful Barossa region in South Australia!
I found myself up with the birds this morning(yep, 4 am), my mind wandering to that familiar spiral we all know too well – aaah. The washing machine cycle of rumination.
You know what I mean, right? (We look into each other's eyes knowingly)
Those thoughts that circle back, again and again...always finding their way back, no matter how far you try to manage them into oblivion.
As I sipped my morning black coffee, Adrian and Riley, my adorably chaotic kittens (and yes, I named one after my husband, but that is another story), provided their usual entertainment. There they were, tumbling across the living room floor, paws tangled together, utterly oblivious to anything but their playful wrestling match.
I couldn't help but stop and laugh at their antics – they just looked so full of joy.....so happy...
And then it hit me.
Our thoughts can get just as tangled up, can't they?
What Kittens Teach Us About Living in the Moment
Have you ever truly watched kittens at play?
There's something magical about their complete immersion in whatever they're doing. This morning, Riley pounced on a dust particle floating in a sunbeam stretched across the room( reminding me to do a better job with the dusting) – not worrying about yesterday's failed jump or tomorrow's feeding time.
Just fully engaged with that single, floating speck.
Adrian, meanwhile, was fascinated by his own tail – chasing it with the intensity of a hunter, then completely forgetting about it when a rustling paper caught his attention.
No rumination there, just pure presence.
These furry little teachers demonstrate what mindfulness experts have been telling us for years: true joy exists in the present moment.
Kittens don't replay past mistakes, endlessly attempt to resolve issues or anxiously anticipate future challenges.
They simply experience what is happening right now with their whole being.
When they play, they commit entirely.
When they rest, they surrender completely.
When they're startled, they react or respond – then let it go almost immediately.
No hard feelings...No grudges, no rehearsing better responses for next time, just moving on to the next experience.
What if we could approach life with even a fraction of that presence? What if, like kittens, we could fully engage with what's right in front of us instead of getting tangled in the web of our thoughts?
A Little Something I've Created for You
I've been working on a course to help with overthinking (more on that soon!), but in the meantime, I wanted to share something special with you. I've recorded a guided meditation that starts as a gentle conversation with instructions on how to manage rumination and flows into a soothing body scan.
It's designed to help untangle those knotted thoughts – much like I have to untangle Adrian from the curtains at least twice a day! This meditation will guide you through visualizations that create space between you and those persistent thoughts.
What to Expect in the Meditation
We'll explore safe spaces in your mind, release thoughts like balloons drifting into the sky, and connect with nature's calming presence. There's something powerful about imagining a candle flame transforming your worries into light.
The body scan at the end helps bring you back to the present moment – something my kittens excel at teaching! They're constantly reminding me that while my mind might be in yesterday or tomorrow, my body is always right here, right now.
Why We Ruminate
Our brains are just doing what they evolved to do – keep us safe by spotting problems. But for those of us who've weathered some storms, this instinct can shift into hypervigilance. One small worry becomes a snowball rolling downhill, gathering size and speed.
I have seen this pattern with many clients.
The good news? With practice and the right techniques, we can redirect this mental energy toward a kitten-like presence.
Come Join Me
Whether you're looking for one-on-one support through online counselling, wanting to boost your physical wellbeing with personal training, or simply enjoying these little glimpses into life with two crazy kittens in South Australia – I'd love to connect with you.
I am still working on the course ( out probably two weeks...i will let you know), but the meditation is available now, link attached, and I can't wait to share this journey with you. Sometimes the most powerful changes come from the simplest practices – like observing the natural mindfulness of kittens at play.
Until then, I'll be here – probably fishing Riley out from under the couch or watching Adrian attempt to climb the bookshelf for the hundredth time. These little moments of joy, these lessons in presence, are what life's all about, aren't they?
Sending oodles of sunshine and so many calm thoughts from South Australia,
New content here....open.spotify.com/episode/4uOvjIVWLman4auHed25qn?si…
(also on youtube)
Lauren
P.S. If you're struggling with persistent rumination and would like more personalised support, my online counselling sessions might be just what you need. And if you're looking to complement your mental wellbeing with physical health, let's discuss online personal training as well. Sometimes a holistic approach makes all the difference! laurenostrowskifenton.simplybook.me/v2/
4 weeks ago | [YT] | 154