Does Mindfulness Really Work?
When someone asks me that question, my answer is often: “No, mindfulness doesn’t work.” That might sound surprising coming from a mindfulness teacher, but bear with me. Mindfulness doesn’t “work”, it simply is. It’s a tool we can choose to engage with, much like a musical instrument
Mindfulness doesn’t ‘work’ like a magic button you press when you’re stressed. It’s more like a gentle practice—something you learn, explore, and return to over time. In that sense, it’s less a tool and more like learning an instrument
A guitar, for example, doesn’t play itself, it just sits there. But in the hands of someone curious and willing to practise, it can create the most beautiful sounds. Mindfulness is much the same. It has the potential to help us feel calmer, more balanced, and better able to respond to life’s ups and downs. But that potential is only realised through practice
“Is It Working Yet”?
Often, we come to mindfulness with a goal in mind. We want to feel less anxious. We want to sleep better. We want to stop overthinking. These are all understandable desires—but when the benefits don’t arrive quickly, it’s easy to feel disheartened
We might even start telling ourselves we’re no good at it, or that it doesn’t work. But what if the real benefit of mindfulness isn’t a quick fix, but something subtler and more sustainable? What if it’s not about feeling better instantly, but about slowly building a friendlier, more supportive relationship with ourselves?
That’s why it’s more helpful to shift our focus to the process itself. The real benefit comes when we stop asking “Is it working yet?” and start gently noticing what’s happening within us, moment by moment. What’s happening right now? What do I notice? How am I paying attention – am I striving or wanting or just open to what is here? What happens if I soften just a little?
This kind of gentle curiosity is at the heart of mindfulness. It opens the door to learning, resilience, and self-compassion—qualities that grow stronger over time
The most valuable changes are often the ones we barely notice at first: pausing before reacting, being a little gentler with ourselves, feeling just a bit more grounded in a stressful moment. These shifts build over time, and together they make a big difference
A Gentle Approach to Mindfulness Practice
Rather than being another thing on your to-do list, mindfulness can be a way of being. It starts with simple awareness: noticing the breath, the feeling of your feet on the floor, or the sounds around you. These moments help us reconnect with the present, especially when life feels overwhelming
Like any new skill, it can feel unfamiliar at first. That’s why curiosity and kindness matter so much more than perfection. There’s no “right way” to do it. What matters is simply turning up for yourself with interest, again and again
So… Does Mindfulness Really Work?
So does mindfulness work? Mindfulness doesn’t “work” on its own; it needs you to engage with it. It’s not a quick fix or a magic solution. But it is a powerful tool. Like a musical instrument, it only comes to life when we choose to work with it. When we give it time, care, and attention, it can become a deeply supportive companion in life
Interested in Exploring Further?
If you’d like to learn how to bring mindfulness into your daily life in a way that’s supportive, grounded and real, you might be interested in my next 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course
https://www.livingandlovingmindfully.co.uk/mindfulness-course
Want to Learn More?
As a mindfulness and Alexander Technique teacher in the Saltash / Plymouth area, I help people reduce stress, find balance, improve posture, and feel better in mind and body
Get in touch to find out more or explore our courses. Learn how small changes can make a big difference to your ease, balance, and wellbeing
**About Me**
I’m Sarah-Linda, a certified teacher of both the Alexander Technique and mindfulness based near Plymouth, UK. Through Living and Loving Mindfully, I support individuals in reconnecting with their bodies, easing tension, and moving through life with greater presence and flow
My approach is gentle and grounded in awareness — helping you rediscover your natural balance, without forcing or fixing
It’s not about getting it right, but about learning how to be more present with where you are
