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Breaking Free from Autopilot: Embracing Mindfulness in Everyday Life

By Dana Hastings

As a busy adult, it’s easy to feel like you’re running on autopilot—going to work, dropping the kids off at school, and managing household responsibilities without much thought. While this mode of operation can help you get through the day, consistently functioning this way may be a sign of chronic stress. Your brain begins to rely on repetitive actions to stay afloat, often at the expense of intentional living.

Although autopilot can be useful in certain situations, it shouldn’t become your default. Instead, consider shifting your focus toward mindfulness.

Mindfulness is a form of meditation that encourages you to be fully present and aware of your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the moment. Rooted in ancient Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness offers a judgment-free space to observe your feelings, not to label them as right or wrong, but simply to acknowledge them. It’s a practice of self-compassion, helping you navigate daily life with greater ease and grace.

The benefits of mindfulness are well-documented. It can help reduce anxiety, stress, depression, and even physical pain, contributing to overall well-being and disease prevention.[1]

Here are a few simple ways to begin your mindfulness journey:

• Take a breather. When stress builds up, your brain can feel like it’s in overdrive. To reset, close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths, focusing on each inhale and exhale. Try lifting your shoulders as you breathe to release tension often stored in the neck and shoulders.
• Live in the moment. Even during joyful experiences, like a concert or family vacation, your mind may wander to your to-do list. Instead, slow down and try to savor the simple pleasures right in front of you. I tend to live my life by checking things off my never-ending To Do List. I was always thinking about the next thing on the list no matter where I was or what I was doing at that moment. Once I decided to focus on being truly present and showing up for my life as well as others, my happiness and sense of peace soared.   
• Tune into your surroundings. Being present in your environment helps you reconnect with your senses. This fall, take a walk outside and notice the earthy aroma of fallen leaves or the scent of rain. Let nature ground you.
• Practice self-compassion. We can be our own harshest critics. Flip the script by becoming your biggest cheerleader. Treat yourself with the same kindness and encouragement you offer to loved ones.

Remember, meditation doesn’t have to be lengthy. Even 5-10 minutes a day can make a meaningful difference. Like any skill, mindfulness takes time. It’s a journey, not a destination. I started meditating at the beginning of this year just 10-15 each day. It’s hard to be consistent. It often feels like I don’t even have that little bit of time to spare. Of course, I know it isn’t true but try telling that to my brain! Now that I am 8+ months in, I do feel a significant difference between the days that I allow myself just those few minutes every morning to meditate and the days that I don’t. My advice is to start small, just a few minutes a day and use guided meditation. I find a lot of my guided meditations on Youtube and Apple Podcasts.

We’re here to support you every step of the way, especially when it comes to managing the emotional weight of financial stress. You’re not alone on this path.

Sincerely,

Dana G. Hastings, CFP®, ChF®, RICP®, CEPA

Director of Wealth Management
Fairport Wealth Cleveland

[1] Meditation and mindfulness: effectiveness and safety. (n.d.). NCCIH. Retrieved August 25, 2025, from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-and-mindfulness-effectiveness-and-safety