Mindful Monday: Letting the Moment Be Enough
There’s a quiet kind of mindfulness that doesn’t show up in guided meditations or morning routines. It lives in ordinary moments—the ones that repeat, the ones that feel small, the ones that don’t look productive from the outside.
For many autistic individuals and caregivers, mindfulness isn’t about adding another thing to the day. It’s about taking pressure off. It’s about noticing what’s already here and letting that be enough.
When Mindfulness Looks Ordinary
Mindfulness for autism parents or caregivers doesn’t have to mean sitting still, closing your eyes, or doing it “right.” Sometimes it looks like a warm mug on the counter. Sometimes it’s the same meal made the same way, again and again, because predictability is calming and nourishment matters.
It might look like:
- Noticing when your body needs a break
- Stepping outside for one quiet minute
- Lowering expectations instead of pushing through
- Choosing gentleness over productivity
These moments don’t announce themselves as mindful. They just are.
Removing Pressure Instead of Adding Practice
A lot of advice around mindfulness assumes we have extra time, energy, and capacity. Many families in the autism community don’t. When you’re juggling IEPs, therapies, sensory needs, appointments, and the emotional weight of advocating every day, adding one more “should” can feel overwhelming.
Mindfulness, for us, often means doing less—not more.
It’s letting go of the idea that everything has to be done at once. It’s focusing only on what truly matters in this moment.
For me, that has meant stopping the constant push to do everything and choosing instead to do what matters right now. Some days, that looks like writing an IEP. Other days, it looks like making a grilled cheese sandwich for the millionth time because my son N needs one every single day.
Both count. Both are care. Sometimes it’s paperwork. Sometimes it’s comfort food. Sometimes it’s simply getting through the hour or the day.
Both Can Be True
Some days feel heavy. Some days feel calm. Many days feel like a mix of both.
If today feels heavy, that’s okay. If today feels calm, that’s okay too.
Both belong here.
Mindfulness isn’t about fixing those feelings or forcing them to change. It’s about noticing them without judgment and allowing yourself to respond with care.
A Small Pause
If you can, take one small pause today. No fixing. No forcing. Just notice what’s in front of you—the warmth, the routine, the repetition, the quiet wins that rarely get credit.
These moments matter.
You’re not alone. You’re part of our village.
— Our Autism Village
I’d love to hear what brought you peace today. Comment on this blog, or share with another autism parent who might need a reminder that small moments matter, too.
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Medical Disclaimer
I am a Special Education Teacher and a parent, but I am not a doctor, psychiatrist, or licensed medical professional. The information on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
