I’m so thrilled to be sharing this beautiful film with you. Mental health challenges are no small matter—by 2019, about one in eight people worldwide (around 970 million individuals) were already living with a mental disorder, and recent research suggests that half the global population will experience a mental health condition by age 75 (source). Mindfulness, especially scientifically backed practices like MBSR, stands out as a foundational tool for mental health—offering clarity, resilience, and grounded support amid a growing global epidemic.
As a teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), I often feel like mindfulness is either seen as something too abstract—or, worse, diluted into yet another commercial quick-fix. The market is overflowing with promises of instant peace and productivity, but often what’s missing is honesty, depth, and scientific grounding.
That’s why My Year of Living Mindfully stands out to me. This isn’t a film wrapped in spiritual jargon or marketing sheen. It’s a grounded, intelligent, and beautifully human exploration of what mindfulness actually is—and what it isn’t. Shannon Harvey, the filmmaker and journalist behind the story, brings mindfulness out of the clouds into the busy work environment, the doctor’s office, the sleep-deprived nights, and the school drop-offs.
Shannon doesn’t embark on her journey from a mountain top retreat—she begins it from her life as a full-time journalist, mother of two young children, and wife. Struggling with insomnia and an autoimmune condition, she reaches a point many of us know well: overwhelmed, exhausted, and searching for something that finally could work—not just another lifestyle trend.
In her search for answers, she turns to mindfulness. Not the buzzword version, but the scientifically studied kind: namely, the 8‑week MBSR course developed by Jon Kabat‑Zinn and later adaptations like MBCT. As someone who teaches this very program, I found it incredibly affirming to see it as the foundational pillar of her year-long experiment. Her journey wasn’t just about quiet moments on a cushion—it was about integration. Daily practice, tough moments, unexpected resistance, and gradual transformation.
What’s remarkable is how methodical and open Shannon is. With the help of a team of scientists, she tracks her physiological changes—measuring brain scans, telomere length, gene expression, and more—to examine how a consistent mindfulness practice affects the body and mind. At the same time, she interviews over a dozen global experts, from Jon Kabat-Zinn to Judson Brewer and Amishi Jha, traveling across the globe with an honest question: can mindfulness make a real difference?
The answer, as the film suggests, is “yes—but not in the way you might think.” The documentary strips away the hype and reminds us that mindfulness isn’t magic. It’s not about transcending stress, but learning to meet life as it is—with clarity, compassion, and courage. It also highlights what not to expect: perfection, enlightenment, or immunity to life’s chaos.
And that’s why I think this movie is such a valuable companion piece to an MBSR course. It brings the experience closer to home. If my teaching sometimes feels abstract, distant, or a bit “out there,” this film helps translate it into real-world language. It shows the nuanced progress people might expect from mindfulness: subtle, steady, and deeply personal.
If you’re curious to explore mindfulness—whether you’re a skeptic, beginner, or already in the midst of practice—this film will offer clarity, perspective, and maybe even a sense of fellowship. It might not give you all the answers—but it will definitely deepen your questions.
How to Watch the Film
Watch the first 15 minutes for free, buy or rent the full film:
https://www.myyearoflivingmindfully.com Or stream via Amazon Video or Apple TV
Bonus Inspiration: Shannon’s TEDx Talk
If you’d like a taste of Shannon’s journey in her own words on stage, I highly recommend watching her TEDx talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOa1BT55Kz4
Let this film be an invitation. Whether you’re considering an MBSR course or simply feeling the weight of your own mind, My Year of Living Mindfully is a gentle yet powerful reminder that change doesn’t always roar in—it often arrives quietly, one breath at a time.
