I’ve been fortunate to receive a new book by Georgina Rodgers, Peace of Mind: A Book of Calm for Busy Mums.
I’ve been reading about Mindfulness and Slow-Living lately, so this book was well-timed for me and welcome. I wrote earlier this year about how the Christmas break allowed me time to switch off and offered a different perspective and a shifting mindset. I am managing to maintain it, just, somehow, by the skin of my teeth. I’m now at that stage where I know it makes me feel happier in myself and in turn makes me a better mother, it’s just hard to keep it going some days whilst trying to spin so many balls. But I remain committed, and now I have this book to help me along the way.
There is an initial introduction to the author herself, along with a little about mindfulness and how it began.
‘Mindfulness encourages us to ‘be present’ in our own lives when we are distracted by intrusive thoughts of past events, or worries about the future.’ It then goes on to share that ‘according to scientists, we have between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts a day and most are repetitive – ones that we had the day before and will continue to have.’
Oh yes, I have lots of thoughts! And I find myself so often failing to ‘be present’, my mind wandering, to-do lists whirling about in my head. But I know I need to make this change, that it will be a good change.
‘Learning to be mindful takes time and persistence but is not complicated and is not something you can either make a success of or fail at.’
Early on in the book there are details on how mindfulness can improve your well-being, physical health and mental health.
The chapters and sections are all short, they feel bite-sized and easy to dip in and out of, crucial when appealing to busy people. They cover key areas of life and move from tips, exercises, drawing, poems, colouring in, recipes, quotes, activities and suggestions, all swapping and changing keeping it interesting to read. I really like books like this, where there’s something different at every turn of the page.
What strikes me most about this book is how it talks to me. It does not condescend, it does not use technical language or concepts, it does not presume to tell me what to do. It simply suggests and motivates, from one busy mother to another.
I plan to work my way through this, bit by bit, a little more each day to help me on my journey into mindfulness. I’m already looking forward to it.
I do have a copy of this book available to give away now to one of my readers. To be in with a chance of winning it, enter using the rafflecopter below. The competition is open to UK residents only and closes at midnight 29th February 2016. Good luck!
Peace of Mind: A Book of Calm for Busy Mums, published by Hodder & Stoughton, is available to buy from 1st March 2016 and I can see it making a lovely gift for a Mother’s Day.
What appeals to you about this book?
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book FOC for the purposes of this review, though all words and opinions remain my own
This book seems to be very interesting, I like its chapters. 🙂
I love the fact that it simply suggests and motivates, from one busy mother to another and doesn’t expect too much!
I like how much it lets you focus on.
I have just started a mindfulness journey too, so it’s good to see this book recommendation.
I am doing the 6 week mindfulness course with Future Learn (Free). It has just started so still time to sign up 🙂
I like the fact you can dip in and out, you havent got to commit yourself to reading a whole chapter
I like that the book has lots of different activities to complete.
lots of different ideas
it looks great could spend alot of time on this x
Calm, would be like Heaven. Bliss.
I have problems focusing on the moment and remaining present instead of all distracted so it appeals to me as an aid for thst but it also looks so so pretty and fun to do!
It sounds like a great idea!
A wonderful way to keep calm and motivate yourself.
I love that it’s got loads of suggestions in.
I like that it’s a book you can refer back to. No need to read all at once.
Is in nice bite-size pieces, and colouring is always good
Seems like a good book to relax with at the end of a busy day – and will hopefully make the next day calmer
I like that it’s interesting and worthwhile to read xx
It’s fun
I like how it has a part about sleep because I find it so difficult to have a deep sleep with everything on my mind
I like that you sayIt does not condescend, it does not use technical language or concepts, it does not presume to tell me what to do.
I like the variety of ideas and the simplicity of it
I like that the book requires you to add your own thoughts.
the title peace of mind…it so far evades me
I love books like this, that you can dip in and out of.
The motivational aspect!
What a lovely book. I like the idea of being more mindful, but it’s something that I just don’t mange to squeeze in! xx
This reminds me a little of a book my Grandma did for her grandkids. It told about her childhood and she did pictures with it, etc. Now I am 36 and my grandmother has advanced dementia and this is a link to her passed she no longers remembers. I think it is important to do something like this for your children (or grandchild etc.)
I love that this is a piece of you that you a journaling, and while helping you focus, you child can understand you as a parent when they are older.
I love the idea of this book. It’s something different. I would look forward to doing a little bit a day!
Mindfulness! Being involved in the time out peaceful moment xxx
It sounds so relaxing. This is just what I need,
I like the”bite-sized” look of it
Helps to become mindful
This would be a lovely present for my friend who has just started meditating and is so much happier in herself.
I love lists and this would be fab to sit down and have five minutes to myself with
looks like a great little read, thank you
Everything appeals to me about this, my sister (mother of 3 crazy children) really needs something to calm her, sadly I got all the ‘chill’ in the genes.
i like the idea of a book of calm in the madness of motherhood
lov mindfulness and could do with any help lol looks good
I’m rubbish at keeping a journal but love the look of the prompts in this 🙂
There are some fab ideas in the book that i could try 🙂
Looks good
I like all the suggestions and activities
I like the amount of different activities the book offers, it’s not heavy reading and good for a mum looking to relax 🙂
I’m really beginning to investigate mindfulness, and anything that helps me understand and practise it will be so useful.
I like how interesting it seems
The short chapters will be extremely useful when it comes to fitting in some reading time… The ‘bite-sized’ chapters are perfect when you have little monsters running around with short attention spans, haha.
It encourages mums to take time for themselves, a wonderful idea 🙂
Lots of ideas/suggestions.
The way it can be personalised x
mindfullness is cool
The relaxing repetition of the patterns.
I like the variety of activities
I really struggle with depression and anxiety, I think this would really help me to keep focus on the present
This looks fab,I have been suggested I take a mindfulness course due to stress/anxiety but have yet to take the first step in booking it up,this looks like a good starting to point for me to do at home so even if I don’t win I think I will be purchasing.
It’s so sweet. It’s important for mums to remember how to enjoy the calm times.
I think learning more about ‘mindlefullness’ would be very interesting. How to live more in the ‘present’ and not to so weighed down by repetitive thoughts of the past is a reall interesting concept.
Less Stressing!
Firstly I love the cover! I also like that it has small chapters and plenty of motivation, I love the look of this book 🙂
I like the fact that its non linear, and can be used to refer back to. Seems interesting.
The mindfulness of it
A moment of calm haha!! 😀
It sounds very relaxing I also like that you can fill things in and look back at them at a later date
Looks like a great book
Space you can write down your thoughts and feelings at that time. Also a bit of mindfulness colouring I find destressing.
Gives you things to do
It seems to talk to you on a level playing field.. Not patronising, just down to earth.
I like that it’s in bite-sized pieces so it doesn’t require too much time at each reading. It’s a lovely idea.
just seeing the title is enough to get me interested!
I like that the book is a way to relax and unwind
I need inspiration
The colouring aspect is really soothing.
Some interesting tips to bring calmness and mindfulness into life when things get hectic
how you can do it in bite size chunks to fit around my life
Allows you to appreciate the now, I love that!
I love the fact it sounds so easy to read with so much variety, yet sounds so inspiring and calming 🙂
I love that it has parts to write in too! Am really interested in mindfulness. Would love this fab book x
I am interested in mindfulness x
I like the quotes in the book
I have been looking to buy a book like this one.
I battle to turn off and relax as I”m always thinking, this would be great as I could be thinking about “calming” things.
I’m loving that there are different chapters/activities. It looks like there is lots to keep you occupied and that there would be something for everyone
it looks interesting 🙂
there is so many different things to do meaning it’s not repetitive to the point you would get bored x
I love mindfulness and think this book would be a lovely read
I love the fact the book seems fascinating. Love the chapters
Love the variety of activities
Sounds good that that it’s in bit sized sections
After my attempt of gutting this house, with 2 children, A book of calm sounds very very tempting!!!!!
The fact that the chapters are short so less chance of being interrupted!
lots of different things
The variety of activities xx
i would have love it as i alway couor in when am on stress etc this is make me relax ? brill
the title alone is something i need x
the mindfulness
i like the fact that it has a bit of everything in it from poems which i love to adult colouring that I love too
Hopefully would help to keep myself calm.
As a busy mum of 4 I think this would help me greatly. I am a worrier and am constantly listing things that need to be done!
It looks very interesting and motivating
I love how it’s centered on mindfulness, I did quite a bit during my uni course but have never thought to apply it to my own life so it would be a great way of getting started
I suffer with anxiety and this looks like it could help with that.