Mindfulness
Participate Skill
Participate invites you to throw yourself into the present activity wholeheartedly—losing self-consciousness and letting wise mind guide the next step.
Tip: jot notes below, then print or “Save as PDF.”
How to practice it
Move through each step slowly. Notice what the skill asks for and how you can experiment in real life.
1
Commit to the Moment
Decide to be all-in with the activity at hand, whether it’s a conversation, meal, workout, or DBT skill practice.
2
Sync Body and Mind
Match your posture, facial expression, and attention to what you are doing. Put down distractions and align your actions with the task.
3
Let Wise Mind Lead
Trust the combination of emotion and logic. Respond spontaneously from that place instead of overthinking or second-guessing.
4
Stay in Flow
If you notice self-conscious thoughts (“I look silly” or “I’m doing it wrong”), acknowledge them, release them, and re-engage with the activity.
Real-world examples
Try spotting moments like these in your week. Notice how the skill changes the ripple effect of a tough situation.
Therapy skills group
During role-play you commit to acting out the script, make eye contact, and respond naturally, even if you feel awkward. Participation helps the rehearsal stick.
Quality time with a friend
You silence your phone, laugh at the story being told, and share your own experience without holding back. Being fully in it deepens the connection.
Practice Activity
Pick one meaningful daily activity to practice full participation. Note what shifts when you remove autopilot or self-consciousness.
What activity did you choose and why?
How did you align your body and attention with the moment?
What thoughts tried to pull you out of participation?
How did engaging fully change the outcome or feeling?
Want to practice mindfulness with the WithMarsha app?
WithMarsha guides you through this skill in real time, keeps track of your practice, and helps you build your DBT toolkit day by day.
Download WithMarsha