Kia ora, I’m Jeffrey Robinson, and this podcast is about mindfulness in daily life. Recently, I had the pleasure of joining my colleague Anna Keyter for a relaxed and honest podcast about mindfulness in daily life.
Anna and I first met while working in prisons in New Zealand. I’m originally from Hawke’s Bay and belong to Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Pāhauwera. I now work as a cultural supervisor and counsellor in Auckland. It was great to catch up with Anna and share our thoughts.
Why Mindfulness in Daily Life Can Feel Challenging
Anna spoke openly about how difficult she found mindfulness in daily life when she first started. She said:
“It was one of the more difficult things I’ve tried because it’s so easy for us to get lost in our minds. Thoughts can pull you in all directions and stir up so many emotions.”
What Mindfulness in Daily Life Really Means
For me, mindfulness isn’t about emptying the mind. It’s about gently noticing what you’re thinking, feeling, and doing right now — without judgment.This includes being aware of your surroundings — the wind, the birds, the feeling of the whenua beneath your feet. When the mind wanders, we simply notice and return.
Nature, Culture and Presence
We both feel that mindfulness in daily life is closely connected to nature, especially here in Aotearoa. I spoke about how many Māori elders sit quietly in the forest or by the moana, listening and tuning in. Anna also highlighted how important it is for us to get outside and reconnect with nature, even on days when the weather changes quickly.
Lessons from Prison Work
One of the most meaningful parts of the podcast was reflecting on the men we worked with in prisons.
Mindfulness in daily life helped many of them accept where they were. Instead of being overwhelmed by regret about the past or anxiety about the future, they could live more fully in the present. This acceptance often brought relief and greater emotional steadiness.
Simple Practices for Everyday Life
We shared some very practical ideas:
- Make an “appointment” with worrying thoughts for later in the day.
- Spend a few minutes connecting with nature.
- Gently bring your attention back whenever your mind wanders.
These small habits can make a real difference in mindfulness in daily life.
Final Thoughts
This conversation with Anna reminded me how warm and human mindfulness can be. It’s not about perfection — it’s about showing up with more awareness in our daily moments.
Thank you, Anna, for the wonderful kōrero. I’m looking forward to our future podcasts together.
If you’re exploring mindfulness in your own life, feel free to leave a comment below and share what’s working for you.