Mindfulness Cootie Catcher

Interestingly, the precise origins of cootie catchers are not well documented. The prevailing theory suggests that it likely originated in Japan, possibly as an origami creation. Surprisingly, its design has historical records in Europe dating back to the 17th century. Depending on your generation and global location, you might have known this object by various names such as "salt cellar," "fortune teller," "whirlybird," "chatterbox," or "bug catcher."

Cootie catchers gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s and continue to be relatively popular today. Personally, my friends and I always referred to it as a cootie catcher. The playful notion behind this name was that boys supposedly had "cooties," and if girls got too close, they might catch these imaginary bugs. I'm sure boys believe the opposite. While children used Cootie Catchers in a fun way to "catch cooties" (or pretend bugs or lice), we mostly used them as a fortune-telling device rather than a tool for bug-catching.

While an interest in Cootie Catchers has been around a very long time, likewise, studying mindfulness is an age-old pursuit! One can delve into a complex understanding of how mindfulness affects emotion regulation through numerous resources. However, having taught mindfulness in counseling for over sixteen years, I see it as a straightforward concept.

Mindfulness is about focusing on the present moment. What are you doing, seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or touching right now? What are you feeling inside? Simply put, being mindful involves bringing your thoughts to the present moment, with the added condition of being nonjudgmental about yourself.

Our minds tend to wander in various directions, often dwelling on the past or the future. Despite this, we're generally most content when fully engaged in the present moment, even during routine activities. Mindfulness practice aims to keep our minds in the "here-and-now." When thoughts stray, the key is to notice and gently bring attention back to the present moment, without judgment.

Mindfulness isn't limited to formal practice; it can be applied to any activity. For instance, have you ever walked a distance without recalling the journey? A mindful walk involves paying attention to every aspect—sights, smells, breath, and pace. Devoting a few minutes each day to mindfulness can positively impact your mood throughout the entire day.

Why a Cootie Catcher? You may know them better as "fortune tellers" or "chatter boxes." They have quite a few different names. I grew up playing with “Cootie Catchers,” as my friends and I would refer to them. We had a blast designing them, creating them, and playing with them throughout my childhood and I still enjoy teaching people how to make them today. Cootie Catchers are both creative and fun! So, I figured, what better way to support my customers in learning and implementing mindfulness into their daily practice than a Mindfulness Cootie Catcher?

Etsy Link to purchase Daily Mindfulness Cootie Catcher