The 7 Best Blogs On Mindfulness

You’re reading The 7 Best Blogs On Mindfulness, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’re enjoying this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

the 7 best mindfulness blogs

the 7 best mindfulness blogs

The idea of mindfulness has been slowly rising in our collective consciousness since the 1950’s. The term is a translation of sati, the Pali-term (a significant element of most Buddhist traditions). It is defined as ‘a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.’ Often described as living in the moment, it is the practice of mindfulness that helps one achieve this. The idea is that if we examine our thoughts, if we do not judge them, we can concentrate on every experience in life and actively set our own intention for them. Studies have shown that stress and fear contribute to mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Through mindful interaction, mindful eating and mindful body language, we can change the way we experience our world for the better.

Most of the time people are concerned about what they have to do, where they have to go, and how much time they have to work with, because, let’s face it, bills need to be paid, relationships are not always conflict free and job security is a rare commodity these days. We are complacent with these worries becoming a norm, which is a disservice to our own personal growth. The truth is it is very unnatural to live in a constant state of anxiety or anticipation, but how does one reverse this? I have found a little (or a lot) of advice goes a long way.

Here is a list of the top 7 blogs on mindfulness that I discovered to be helpful!

Boho Berry: Kara’s blog helps one set goals and achieve them. Those goals will fall into a plan to live a fulfilled and inspired life. Her tips to make these goals happen are solid and enthusiastic! She urges us to ‘live life; not just live.’ Click here to check it out!

Tiny Buddha: Lori Deschenes’ blog is centered on motivation and inspiration. How to use knowledge you’ve acquired through experience to your work and relationships ever day. Click here to check it out!

By Her Mirror: Anna’s lifestyle blog attaches humor to the ideas of living simply and mindfully. She often gives tips from her travel experiences, everything from musings on random topics to food, as well as some vlog content. Click here to check it out!

The Blissful Mind: Catherine’s blog focuses on balance and simplicity being of utmost importance to a mindful life. The themes of productivity and self care carry through many of her articles. Click here to check it out!

Zen Habits: Leo Babauta’s blog has a large following so curiosity set in. I found his posts to be specific to task and well organized to help one with the steps needed to take action toward becoming more mindful of your relationships, goals and health. Click here to check it out!

Personal Excellence: Celestine Chua is a life coach whose mandate is to help one achieve their potential. Her blog is a good mix of ‘how to’ articles on navigating through life to health and even child rearing topics that always leave you asking yourself some meaningful questions. Click here to check it out!

Simple Mindfulness: Paige Burkes’ blog contains articles on health, financial life and relationships. She explores how mindfulness can make you happier in life and I found her site particularly insightful! Click here to check it out!

To begin the process of learning how to re-focus our attention to the present moment in a mindful way is easier said than done, of course, like most endeavors involving spiritual development. However it doesn’t have to be, if we remember that we often forgo the present for the future, and ironically, all we really have is the present. So we can pay our bills, we can resolve conflicts and we can let go of control itself, by dealing with these issues head on in a mindful way. If we change how we perceive the outcome, or we focus on one task without worry until we complete it, then maybe that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel becomes the thing that illuminates not only our path, but also our minds!

Do you read a great blog about mindfulness that’s not on the list? Leave a comment on FB!


Larissa Gomes is a proud breast cancer survivor and single mom to her spirited baby boy! Originally from Toronto turned Angeleno, she has worked in roles from writer, actor and producer for well over a decade. In that time, she’s developed concepts, film and television screenplays, short stories, along with freelance articles, blogging and editing work. 

You’ve read The 7 Best Blogs On Mindfulness, originally posted on Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement. If you’ve enjoyed this, please visit our site for more inspirational articles.

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Villa Mavi / White Cube Atelier


© Farshid Nasrabadi

© Farshid Nasrabadi


© Farshid Nasrabadi


© Farshid Nasrabadi


© Farshid Nasrabadi


© Farshid Nasrabadi

  • Collaborators: Hengame Rezaee, Danial Akhavian, Rouhollah Noruzi
  • Clients: Armin & Ramin Bazargan
  • Structural: Majid Bozorg
  • Mechanical: Atlantic co.
  • Electrical: Amir Salamat

© Farshid Nasrabadi

© Farshid Nasrabadi

From the architect. This project is located in hasht-behesht town, Damavand– 45km far from Tehran and is designed for a family of eight. Topography of the site and view to the Mount Damavand were the principal factors which created the form. The 10% slope resulted in dividing the site to 3 parts.

Ground floor is formed at the level of the south yard. Basement is located at level of the middle yard and is connected to the upper yard by ramp and stairs. The third yard is at the lowest level; so the entire volume is a combination of 3 cubes. A part of the lowest cube is buried into soil whereas to the north the swimming pool and sport facilities open to the middle yard, it also forms a terrace related to the living room. The middle cube is divided to two shifted part; western part –including rooms- is oriented to the Mount Damavand and as a cantilevered box has created a big terrace for the 1st floor. Eastern part, housing the kitchen, is shifted toward the south yard and the main entrance. The highest cube is added to integrate the whole building.


© Farshid Nasrabadi

© Farshid Nasrabadi

Section

Section

© Farshid Nasrabadi

© Farshid Nasrabadi

The building’s organization is a combination of two spatial zones, private zone of rooms and public zone made up of social spaces as living rooms and diverse open spaces. All of spaces enjoy day light and natural ventilation. Master bedroom and the social space of 1st floor enjoy view to Mount Damavand through the cantilevered box and the elongated window. Interior design indicates an interaction of cool materials as seranit and gray furniture and warm materials like wood and yellow accessories.


© Farshid Nasrabadi

© Farshid Nasrabadi

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Kyoto Residence / EXH Design + Anoffice


© Zhang Xi

© Zhang Xi


© Zhang Xi


© Zhang Xi


© Zhang Xi


© Zhang Xi


© Zhang Xi

© Zhang Xi

From the architect. Mid of the local Japanese residential area in Kyoto, west side of the Royal palace (30 mins walking distance, 10 mins by bike),  EXH design has completed a private house together with Anoffice. The developer has splitted a plot into four slices each 4.2 meters by 15 meters. The client got the last piece at the west side which enjoys a grand view to the neat neighborhood and west sunlight.


© Zhang Xi

© Zhang Xi

© Zhang Xi

© Zhang Xi

The volume of the building is as a result of Kyoto building law – the height and angle of the pitched roof should be designed to allow the view to the sky from the pedestrian.


Sky View Diagram

Sky View Diagram

To “merge” better with the neighbors and stay invisible in the residential area, the building uses exactly the same material like the other houses except the big windows to invite the sunlight and view in. Since the neighbors have their windows closed most of the time, it’s rather exciting to watch the street scene while sitting inside the house, the house is wrapped by a life movie which is happening everyday.


© Zhang Xi

© Zhang Xi

The first floor is a studio , while the second and third floor is a duplex as the main living area with separate entrance in the back. As a prefabricated wood house the structure can be exposed as much as possible inside except the roof and outside wall for fire proof reasons; the same wood panels are used in kitchen cabinet and floor.


© Zhang Xi

© Zhang Xi

Floor Plans

Floor Plans

© Zhang Xi

© Zhang Xi

All windows are to connect the house more with the outdoor space, although it’s public; and organized according to the views which selected by the owner and designers. Open the window in the first floor sit at the edge , and look to the mini garden is inspired by the Japanese garden. The second and third floor makes the street space a private show. Curtains play a role in dividing space and defining privacy.


© Zhang Xi

© Zhang Xi

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Zaha Hadid’s Port House in Antwerp captured in photography by Hélène Binet



Swiss-French photographer Hélène Binet has shot the recently completed port authority building in Antwerp by Zaha Hadid Architects, which features a huge glazed volume mounted on its roof. (more…)

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Ecopark / i.house


© Le Hoang

© Le Hoang


© Le Hoang


© Le Hoang


© Le Hoang


© Le Hoang

  • Architects: i.house
  • Location: Hung Yen Province, Vietnam
  • Design Team: Chu Ngoc Anh, Le Canh Van, Dang Huy Cuong, Tran Vu Hoang
  • Area: 250.0 sqm
  • Project Year: 2016
  • Photographs: Le Hoang

© Le Hoang

© Le Hoang

Optimizing the home owner’s aesthetic personality and bringing more green and most relaxing space are the criteria set out for the architects. Based on a current land-site that is cramped and limited in size (90sqm/floor), the architects have used a variety of solutions from creating floor-through space, omitting unnecessary rooms/space, fully maximizing the beautiful views of the urban township and laying unique green parts (garden stands).


© Le Hoang

© Le Hoang

For the Penthouse apartment, a contemporary design style was applied in combination with the use of several selected, classic industrial-style furnitures.


© Le Hoang

© Le Hoang

The living room, kitchen and dining room were designed connectedly with large surrounding glass walls, which makes the common space to be frequently illuminated with natural light. The kitchen area with gray-wood tone was designed in minimalist style with the intention to create “a dark background block” for the living room, it contrasts with the common space filled with light and put more highlight to the furnitures with diversified lines. The dining room is also an open library with a separate perspective and is the ideal space for relaxing and reading books for the home owner. A special feature of the apartment is an “invisible” study which is disguised as a bookcase in the dining room. This is a versatile room which is both a study and also can be converted into a bedroom for guests. 


1st Floor Plan

1st Floor Plan

2nd Floor Plan

2nd Floor Plan

To be more impressive and closer to the modern style, rustic and high handicraft-like materials were used as rustic tiles (as if they were peeled off from an old building), together with a polishing concrete floor and a copper fireplace with a mound-by-hand shell.


© Le Hoang

© Le Hoang

On the 2nd floor, the master bedroom is located rightly in central, where it has the widest and most beautiful view in the morning. The bedrooms are surrounded by supporting spaces such as dressing rooms, toilets and an entertainment garden. A unique 5-panel revolving-door creates a link between the bedroom and the open garden. In the garden, thanks to the use of glass railings, the splendid and not-be-restricted views over the urban township create a feeling of no boundary or distant from the urban township below. The array of garden stands is applied to create large green spaces and air conditioning for this place. A Plumeria rubra tree is also carefully selected to avoid storms but still creates a natural highlight. 


© Le Hoang

© Le Hoang

All of these have contributed to create a Penthouse full of light and green with a very specific personality for the Ecopark urban township, they eliminate the feeling of cramped and dry in apartments here.

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Hales Hospital by andre govia. Hales abandoned hospital…

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Avalon House / ArchiBlox


© Michael Wickham

© Michael Wickham


© Michael Wickham


© Michael Wickham


© Tom Ross


© Tom Ross


© Michael Wickham

© Michael Wickham

From the architect. Beyond ArchiBlox’s speedy construction time of 6 weeks, prefab suited the clients desire to tread lightly on the land with the Avalon House project.


© Tom Ross

© Tom Ross

With modular building the impact on the surrounding environment is heavily reduced during construction. The dwelling is outfitted with a number of green features, including a living roof that minimises rainwater runoff and solar penetration. The green roof also acts as a thermal mass, an east-west orientation that allows cross-ventilation.


© Michael Wickham

© Michael Wickham

Avalon House is beautifully wrapped in FSC certified external blackbutt hardwood timber milled from sustainably forestry methods. By fabricating off-site, ArchiBlox also had careful control over material usage with minimal wastage.


Floor Plan

Floor Plan

As with any buildings procurement, it’s not so much about the construction methodology that would affect the relationship with sustainability but more the direction of the architect and the client’s appetite.


© Tom Ross

© Tom Ross

The major consideration for any sustainable response falls on the siting of the building, i.e. in the southern hemispheres opening up the windows to the north and reduction to the south. Once this is achieved, there are numerous other techniques that can be incorporated which may steadily increase the project budgets and, as such, the client’s appetite.


© Tom Ross

© Tom Ross

At ArchiBlox they believe that they have the ability of educating their clients to best maximise their sustainable response to their particular site. With this particular project, the main facades face north and given the type of footings used with this particular project, reduction of water flow across the site was a consideration with its proximity to the cliff edge and potential erosion. Building with a concrete slab or strip footings would have been problematic as would have created a barrier to water flow.


© Michael Wickham

© Michael Wickham

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Wesley Walls embeds multi-level home into forested Arkansas hillside



American architect Wesley Walls has created a home for his family in central Arkansas that is composed of stacked boxes clad in stone, metal and glass (+ slideshow). (more…)

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