Mindfulness in Real Life: The Power of "Take 5"

As much as I adore the idea of waking up at sunrise, slipping into a flowy outfit that dances in the morning breeze, brewing a calming herbal tea, and settling onto a cushy meditation pillow in a sun-drenched corner surrounded by lush greenery to meditate and contemplate life—that’s not my reality.

Sure, I do wake up early. I take a few deep breaths and set my intentions for the day. But then, it’s go-time. I’m feeding animals, getting things moving, and even though I try to stay ahead by laying things out the night before, I still find myself rushing around, swept into the current of a busy morning.

The truth is, I’m not exactly a meditation master. I’m not even close to Zen by nature. But that doesn’t mean mindfulness is out of reach. In fact, mindfulness doesn’t have to look like a perfect scene from a wellness magazine. It can happen right in the middle of your real, messy, beautifully imperfect life.

That’s where "Take 5" comes in.

What is "Take 5"?

It’s exactly what it sounds like: taking just five minutes to pause, ground yourself, and be present. These micro-moments of mindfulness can transform how you start your day, reset midday, or wind down in the evening.

And when you think of Take 5 as a micropractice, it becomes even more powerful.

Micropractices are small, consistent actions done regularly, rather than one big practice once or twice a week. Rather than requiring a full reset of your schedule, they work quietly in the background, accumulating over time.

This is the same idea as the concept of marginal gains—a strategy often used in sports or business, where small, incremental improvements create meaningful change when compounded.

What I love about Take 5 is its flexibility. 

Mindfulness can be found in five minutes of sitting quietly or lying in a comfortable position, simply focusing on your breath. Or, it can be found in five minutes of gentle movement.

Personally, I find that when I take a mindful walk—even just for five minutes—I can use my senses to really appreciate my surroundings and be fully present in the moment. Random thoughts pop into my head, but I bring myself back to the moment. The feel of the ground beneath my feet, the breeze on my skin, the sounds of nature or the rhythm of my breath—it all becomes part of the practice.

No matter how you choose to spend those five minutes, you’re creating space for awareness and calm in your day, as long as you stay present.

Why It Works

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing practice. The beauty of Take 5 is its simplicity. These micropractices, these marginal gains, help regulate your nervous system, ease tension, and keep you connected to the present moment—even in the middle of chaos.

No, I’m not a meditation master. My mornings are far from picture-perfect. But with a few mindful moments scattered throughout the day, I create space to breathe, reset, and reconnect—with myself and with life as it actually is, not just as I imagine it could be.

Mindfulness fits beautifully into real life. All it takes is five.

Your April Challenge: Start Your Take 5 Micropractice

This April, I invite you to join me in making Take 5 part of your everyday routine. Think of it as a simple, personal challenge: just five mindful minutes a day, wherever and however it fits into your life.

Let’s see what happens when we give ourselves these small moments of presence—whether it’s a quiet breath before the day begins, a mindful walk to soak in the beauty around us, or a brief pause to reset in the middle of the afternoon.

Small steps. Marginal gains. Meaningful change.

Start today. Start with five.