The Mindful Approach to Smartphone Video: Balancing Creativity and Distraction

In today’s world, smartphone video has become an incredibly powerful tool for content creation. With the quality of top-end devices like the iPhone, it’s possible to produce professional-level videos with just a few taps on your screen. But while I’m a big advocate of using smartphones for video, I also recognize that video can be a major pain in the butt—especially when you’re trying to maintain mindfulness.

The Challenge of Mindful Video Creation

Mindful photography is all about being present, focusing on the moment, and using your smartphone as a tool for cultivating inner peace. When you “turn your smartphone into a camera” by disabling notifications and putting it in airplane mode, you’re able to shoot and edit photos without the constant distraction of incoming messages or social media alerts. This practice makes it easier to stay grounded and focused, capturing still shots that you can later send to someone with a simple “I love you.” It’s a straightforward and calming process.

Video, however, is a different beast entirely. Instead of dealing with a single frame, you’re managing thousands of frames, all moving in real-time. The cerebral intensity of video production—choosing the right angle, considering movement, editing multiple clips—can quickly turn a mindful shoot into a stressful, overwhelming experience.

Finding Balance: Making Video Creation Mindful

To keep video creation within the realm of mindfulness, it’s important to find what works best for you personally. Just as with photography, your approach to video should be something that resonates with you and allows you to get lost in the process rather than feeling stressed or distracted.

For me, the idea of babbling into a selfie video doesn’t feel mindful at all. The act of talking to a camera in selfie mode can often feel forced, taking me out of the present moment and into my head. Instead, I find mindfulness in more serene, landscape-oriented shots—like sitting on a warm beach and capturing slow-motion video of the waves gently breaking on the shore. The soothing repetition of the waves, combined with the peaceful setting, allows me to stay grounded and present, making the video creation process a meditative experience.

Experiment and Have Fun

The key to making mindful video work for you is experimentation. Try different approaches, settings, and subjects until you find what feels right. Maybe you enjoy capturing the movement of leaves in the wind, or perhaps a time-lapse of clouds rolling by speaks to you. Whatever it is, let the process be about discovery and enjoyment rather than perfection or productivity.

Always remember to check in with your inner body—how are you feeling as you shoot and edit? Are you staying present, or are you getting lost in the technical details? Mindful video is about the journey, not the destination. It’s about finding joy in the creative process and allowing yourself to get lost in time as you capture the beauty of the world around you.

Shine Your Light,
Joe

PS:

If you found this post helpful, you'll love my book, The Mindful Photography Field Guide: 15 Smartphone Photography Practices for Inner Peace. It’s packed with practical tips and inspiring stories. Ready to dive deeper? I also offer one-on-one mindful photography training to help you master skills that lead to inner peace. Reach out to me via my contact form and let’s connect.