STOP the Overwhelm: Herky's Mindfulness Tool for Self-Awareness
Chester Springs, Pa - February 12, 2025-- In a world filled with constant demands and distractions, finding a moment of peace can feel like a distant dream. However, life coach and mindfulness teacher Herky offers a practical solution with her simple yet powerful mindfulness technique, STOP, as shared on the "Voices of Introspection" podcast. This technique, which stands for Stop, Take a breath, Observe, and Proceed, is designed to bring individuals back to the present moment, foster self-awareness, and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Herky's Journey to Mindfulness Herky’s life experiences, moving frequently as a child due to her father’s service in the Indian Army, instilled in her a sense of adaptability and resilience. This early exposure to change, combined with her natural introversion, led her on a path of self-reflection and a spiritual journey. As she explains in the interview, “those are the aspects that also, you know, Sort of supercharged my spiritual journey just having those spaces and time for pause and reflection made me Go on the path”. Her move to the United States further challenged her beliefs and emphasized the importance of self-reliance and questioning the status quo. Herky’s journey ultimately led her to become a life coach, where she empowers women to find their own paths to inner peace and fulfillment.
The STOP Technique Explained
The STOP technique is a quick and accessible tool that can be used multiple times a day. Herky describes each step:
Stop: Pause whatever you're doing. Turn off your devices for a moment to create space for yourself. This step allows you to disengage from the external world and turn your attention inward.
Take a Breath: Take one or more deep breaths. This action is an anchor that helps you return to the present moment and find a sense of safety.
Observe: Close your eyes and observe your internal experience. This can be any sensation, including physical feelings like aches or tension, or emotions like calm or unease. Herky explains, "You’re doing a check-in with yourself… you acknowledge your internal experience".
Proceed: Based on what you observe, proceed mindfully. This could mean getting back to the task at hand, taking a needed break, having a snack, or addressing a physical need. As Herky describes, “you will almost get an answer internally, intuitively, what is it that you wish to, you know, how you wish to proceed".
Benefits of the STOP Technique
The STOP technique is not just a simple breathing exercise. It is a powerful tool for fostering self-awareness and self-compassion. According to Herky, by using the STOP method, you:
Become more attuned to your internal experience: This practice helps you become more aware of your body's signals and emotions, allowing you to understand what you need in the moment.
Reduce reliance on external distractions: By connecting with your internal experience, you become less likely to seek external distractions to avoid discomfort. This means you can enjoy activities without using them as a means of escape.
Gain a sense of agency: STOP helps to move from a place of confusion and overwhelm to a place of clarity and empowerment where you make choices consciously rather than react to external factors.
Make choices that align with your needs: The technique helps you move from a place of confusion and reactivity to a place of clarity where you can determine what you truly need at any moment and then proceed from that space of clarity.
Herky's Advice: Herky encourages everyone to take a moment for themselves using this technique. She says, "Initially, it may, you know, take time, but eventually you will know you will almost get an answer internally, intuitively, how is it that you wish to proceed.". Even in her corporate job, Herky used to take short walks or breaths, to pause and reset before continuing her work. This technique can be incorporated into any routine, and it takes only a minute.
The Power of Self-Awareness: By teaching others to be more mindful and aware of themselves, Herky brings her clients on the path to self discovery, which includes the important realization that “your needs matter too”. Through this self-awareness, her clients become empowered to take charge of their lives, which helps them to be more at peace. Herky's approach to coaching integrates both practical strategies and a focus on creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment that allows women to find their own path towards authentic living.
Herky's STOP technique offers a simple yet effective way to cultivate mindfulness and self-awareness in our busy lives. It serves as a powerful reminder to pause, breathe, observe, and proceed with intention. This technique is a testament to Herky's philosophy of empowering individuals to find inner peace and take control of their own lives by tuning into their own needs, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling existence.
