Women's Leadership Institute hosts Mindfulness and Self-Awareness workshop with Human Development and Family Studies doctoral candidate Deja Young
February 24, 2025 - Emily Jodway
The MSU Women’s Leadership Institute hosted a Mindfulness and Self-Awareness workshop for its student cohort on Thursday, February 20, inside the Student Services Center. The event included a presentation and group discussion led by Deja Young, a Couple and Family Therapy doctoral candidate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.
Young earned her bachelor's and master’s degrees from North Carolina Central University before arriving at Michigan State in 2021 to pursue her PhD. Young holds a limited licence in Marriage and Family Therapy (LLMFT) and works at the MSU Couple and Family Therapy Clinic. Her research focuses on emotional processes within parent-child relationships with adult children, and she hopes to hone in on clinical practice, teaching, and community-engaged research in her future career.
Young and the group started out the workshop by spreading out throughout the room to take a few guided deep breaths, and released tension by shaking out the arms and legs. These were just a few of the many techniques that Young went over with the group that can help reset the body and reintroduce focus.
Young described the act of mindfulness as a conscious decision to stay focused and present in whatever we are doing, rather than letting our minds be flooded by decisions we have to make or tasks that need to get done down the road. She used the example of shoveling the driveway of snow- our only thoughts in this action should be surrounding the action itself, not about the pile of homework we might have due later, the parent we still need to call back, or the big test coming up next week. Staying present can help relieve feelings of self-doubt and self-blame by not dwelling on things that have already happened or have yet to happen. Drawing on our own values and the type of person we aspire to be- whether it be organized, generous, a leader, a change-maker, or something else entirely- can also help to keep us grounded when our heads start to spin.
The cohort also learned a variety of techniques for staying physically present and in tune with the body, which can also aid in mindfulness. Pausing and identifying things around the room we can see, smell, touch, and hear is one way to snap back into focus, as well as the practice of body scanning- going from head to toe and being aware of any tension in the neck and shoulders, deep breaths we are holding in, or the stiff and uncomfortable way we might not realize we’re sitting. Shifting perspective and incorporating positive self-talk, she explained, is another present-tense action that can keep us from dwelling on thoughts like “I’m so afraid I’m going to fail this class,” which can take us out of the present and lead us to worry about things that we can’t control in this moment.
The practice of mindfulness and regulation strategies can help us get in tune with our present state and re-center ourselves, making sure our present activities are in line with our goals and values. “Knowing what works for you” when it comes to these techniques is one of the most important parts, Young says; it’s not worth meditating or concentrating on our senses if it doesn’t make us feel any better.
Young wrapped up the afternoon with a live trial of body scanning to kickstart the incorporation of mindfulness practices into our daily lives. “Give yourselves grace, life is hard enough already,” she said. “Let's not be another weight you put on yourself. You are enough. Don't water the self-doubt plant; water the encouragement plant, but always hold yourself accountable when you need to.”
The Women’s Leadership Institute will reconvene on March 27 for another skill-building workshop, with the end-of-year spring capstone taking place on April 10. Read more about the institute here.