Why Mindfulness Matters
Nicholas Urbaniak • October 15, 2024
Finding Calm Beyond the Buzz
In a world that seems to be moving faster every day, it’s easy to get caught up in the noise—the constant notifications, the endless to-do lists, the pressure to keep up. But what if there was a way to step back, breathe, and find clarity amid the chaos? At Beyond the Buzz, we believe that mindfulness is the key to slowing down, living with intention, and finding peace in the present moment.
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is more than just a buzzword. It’s the practice of being fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, without being overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. It’s about focusing on the here and now—whether it’s the taste of your morning coffee, the sound of the wind rustling through the trees, or the feeling of your breath as it moves in and out.
By taking time to be mindful, we create space for clarity, creativity, and connection with ourselves and others. Instead of reacting to life on autopilot, mindfulness allows us to respond with intention.
The Benefits of Mindfulness
Why does mindfulness matter? Here are just a few of the benefits:
Reduces Stress: Mindfulness helps calm the mind, reducing stress and anxiety. It’s a reminder that, in this moment, everything is okay.
Improves Focus: By bringing our attention back to the present, we become more focused and productive in our daily tasks.
Enhances Well-being: When we’re present, we appreciate the little moments that make life beautiful. This sense of gratitude and appreciation can lead to a greater sense of happiness and well-being.
Fosters Better Relationships: Mindfulness helps us be more empathetic and present with those around us, improving our connections with loved ones.
A Simple Mindfulness Practice to Get Started
You don’t need to carve out hours of your day to start practicing mindfulness. Here’s a simple exercise you can try right now:
Find a Comfortable Spot: Sit down somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed for a few minutes.
Take a Deep Breath: Close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose, then exhale slowly through your mouth.
Notice Your Breath: Focus on the sensation of your breath as it enters and leaves your body. If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
Be Present: Spend 2-3 minutes just noticing your breath and the feeling of your body in the space. Let go of any thoughts about what you need to do next.
This small practice can be the start of a more mindful, present life—one where you feel a little less overwhelmed and a lot more at peace.
Join Us Beyond the Buzz
At Beyond the Buzz, we’re on a mission to help you find calm amid the noise. Mindfulness is just one way to tune in to what really matters and discover a more peaceful, meaningful life. Stay tuned for more tips, insights, and stories to help you live with intention.
Are you ready to start your mindfulness journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s explore what lies beyond the buzz together.
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Do you have any control?
Thoughts swirl around me, yet they're not my own. Merely echoes, whispers, from moments behind; Yet now is alive, awake in my mind. Come quickly, my friend— Don’t dwell too long, This moment awaits your joyful song. Release all worry; it's always near— Right now endures if your gaze stays clear.
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How do you balance your spending? Do you have a budget down to the T, tracking every cent? Do you trust yourself not to overspend and just put everything on a credit card? Or do you let your spouse handle it all? Either way, your past decisions depict an accurate picture of where you are today. In the past, I used a bucket system. My paycheck went into up to 6 different accounts, and I would only spend what was in each account for that period. It worked very well when we had big, fixed expenses on the horizon that we needed to plan for, and it set us up for this new phase of life. However, times change, and so do you. My wife and I have always been into saving and investing as much as we could. I’d be easily convinced to send money straight to investment accounts, leaving only the essentials for bills and known expenses in our checking and savings. We paid off our credit cards in full every month—just barely—because the rest of our money was already deployed. We had a rough idea of what we could spend while still covering our cards each month. The budget was loose, but it worked. We invested as much as possible and kept up with our expenses. Recently, my wife and I transitioned to a similar approach, but more passive, so we can focus on life rather than finances. Instead of directing investment money to separate accounts, we now put everything into just two: one for saving and one for monthly expenses. The rest is set up through our employers to go straight to our retirement plans, which we had done before, but not to this extent. In the past, I focused heavily on taxable accounts because it was lucrative to be able to invest in anything I wanted—from Pokemon cards and Bitcoin to the occasional gold coin. Now, my wife and I feel we have enough in those taxable (non-retirement) investments that we wouldn’t need to touch our retirement accounts in 99% of emergencies. This is fluid and might change in the future, but for now, we’re set—even in worst-case scenarios. By focusing on after-tax brokerage accounts and alternative investments, we’ve reached a point where we can now focus solely on retirement accounts, which has taken a huge load off our shoulders. People in investing groups often recommend a standard flow: first, a 6-month emergency fund; then your employer 401(k) match; then max out a Roth IRA (or backdoor Roth); then fully contribute to your 401(k); maybe use permanent life insurance for tax benefits; and only after all that, open a brokerage account or consider crypto. That model always left me uneasy—like it was backwards—despite the obvious tax efficiency. I used to think, “What do you do if you have kids and need more than your emergency fund, or if you want to retire at 55?” Retirement accounts typically can’t be touched until later without penalties, so how would you access that money if it was your goal? That’s why, in combination with retirement accounts, I prioritized taxable accounts in my 20s and early 30s—so if I needed money before retirement, it was there, yet I was still contributing to more tax-efficient vehicles. Now, having that buffer layer means I’m much more comfortable throwing everything we can into retirement accounts and deprioritizing taxable ones. This “SUPER” emergency fund makes me feel more at ease than if I had only 6 to 12 months of cash outside my retirement accounts. So, what I’m saying is: always save and invest in a way that fits your needs—not just some blueprint you found in a subreddit—because everyone has different goals in life. I, for one, wanted an extra layer of security so I’d feel comfortable locking up my hard-earned money for 40+ years. While this isn’t the right way for everyone, it was right for me because I knew what would allow me to maximize my contributions and maintain my peace of mind. Recognize that your needs change throughout life, and adjust. One day you might slow down on investing to save for a big vacation; another time, you might boost retirement contributions because you realize you’re behind and need to cut out frivolous expenses. The point is to adapt as needed and know yourself well enough to step outside the mold if you have to—because in the end, it’s not all about money, it’s about living. Plan for the future, but don’t ignore your feelings and needs. Find what works for you, and you’ll get more joy and comfort than if you followed a stale plan that doesn’t make sense to you. The cards will land as they will, and you’ll look back and realize you either did well or made a mistake. But remember, those were your choices. Right now, you have the power to change the trajectory of your future. Adjust as needed, and lean on advisors if you need help.