Who is Not I But We? 

Since 2019, Not I But We has been a beloved partner of 2nd Story Goods, creating artisan products to fight against the injustices of human trafficking. By working with the survivors of human trafficking in Cape Town, South Africa, NIBW empowers women to heal physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually to ensure that they not only survive, but thrive. 

NIBW Mindfulness Bracelets 

One of the newest products  from our partnership with Not I But We is the collection of Mindfulness Bracelets, which you can shop here. NIBW created this collection to remind us to help each of us feel grounded and present, and to inspire a little bit of peace into our days. As an organization dedicated to supporting the healing of survivors of human trafficking, each bracelet has a mindfulness practice attached to them and a story which inspired them! 

Mindfulness Practice #1: Breathe 

Representing one of the basic building blocks of living mindfully, the Breathe bracelet—made with semi-precious stones—is a little reminder to inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale when the ins and outs of life get to be overwhelming. When all else fails, something as simple as taking a breath can feel rejuvenating. 

If you count the gold beads on the inhale, and count the blue beads on the exhale, repeating this process three times might be that window of calm in the chaos of the day. In life after trafficking, this calm is not only a tactic, but a lifesaving one. One of the survivors that NiBW worked with was given a suggestion after a struggle with the process of healing, which can be difficult and nonlinear. Going out into nature, absorbing the sounds and textures, while breathing in, 

Two, three, four, 

And breathing out, 

Two, three, four. 

It reminded her that yes, she wants to live. It reminded her that she was thankful, for the ability to be in nature and appreciate the world. 

Such a small, quick practice has the ability to bring a necessary moment of wellness to all who need it. 

Mindfulness Practice #2: 

In moments of stress, when everything feels overwhelming, our minds can easily slip into survival mode. We stop thinking clearly, our bodies react, and before we know it, we've “flipped." But what if there was a way to pause and ground ourselves in the present moment? What if wellness began with something as simple as a bracelet?

The Calm Bracelet is more than just a beautiful piece of jewelry. It’s a tool for healing, for grounding, and for helping us regulate our nervous systems when we feel dysregulated. Each bead represents a step in a practice called  Sensory Inventory, designed to bring your thinking brain back online before your emotions take control.

The simple act of taking stock of your surroundings—naming what you could see, touch, hear, smell, and taste—is the process of sensory inventory. Here’s how to use the bracelet to guide you through it!

• 5 beads: Name 5 things you can see.

• 4 beads: Name 4 things you can touch. Touch them.

• 3 beads: Name 3 things you can hear.

• 2 beads: Name 2 things you can smell. Smell them.

• 1 bead: Name 1 thing you can taste. Taste it.

Once you’ve completed this simple inventory, you take a slow, deep breath, and your nervous system begins to shift. You’re back in control. You’re in the driver seat, not your stressor.

Mindfulness Practice #3: Welcome 

We’ve all been there—trapped in thought vicious feedback loops we can’t seem to escape. A familiar frustration builds: the more we try to shake these thoughts, the tighter their grip becomes. The cycle often leads to harsh self-talk, leaving us feeling stuck and at war with our inner life. The Welcome Bracelet offers a counterintuitive yet transformative approach, inviting us not to battle our thoughts and emotions but to embrace them. This simple but profound shift makes healing possible in ways we may not expect.

How to use the Welcome Bracelet:

1. Awareness (Bead Group 1): Begin by recognizing a troubling thought or emotion. What situation or person comes to mind? Allow yourself to name it—this is the starting point.

2. Feel (Bead Group 2): As you focus on this thought, turn your attention to the physical sensations it stirs. Can you identify the emotion beneath it? Is it fear, anxiety, anger, or perhaps shame? It’s okay if you can’t feel it all at once. Sometimes, just acknowledging a sliver of it is enough for now.

3. Welcome (Bead Group 3): This is where the true power of the Welcome bracelet lies. Instead of pushing the emotion away, welcome it with the Welcoming Prayer. You’re not accepting the situation, injustice, or pain itself—you’re welcoming the emotions and sensations it brings. Our emotions have lessons to teach us, and sometimes they persist because we’ve neglected the time it takes to fully heal. Here’s the prayer you can recite:

Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I welcome everything that comes to me today because I know it’s for my healing.
I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions.
I let go of my desire for power and control.
I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval, and pleasure.
I let go of my desire for survival and security.
I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person, or myself.
I open to Love and Presence and Divine action within. Amen.

4. Shift (Bead Group 4): Pause for a moment and sense any internal shift. Was there a word or phrase in the prayer that captured your attention? Linger on it. Let it speak to you. Breathe deeply and let that awareness fill you.

5. Release (Bead Group 5): Close your practice with a full, deep breath. Let go of everything. Know that you can return to this practice whenever you need, as often as you need.

Through the Welcome Bracelet, we learn that our emotions aren’t enemies to be fought—they are messengers pleading to be heard.

Mindfulness Practice #4: Gratitude

Life moves fast. Between the never-ending to-do lists, the noise of social media, and the countless challenges that arise, it's easy to get swept up and lose touch with what truly matters. We focus on what's urgent, what's wrong, or what's next, but rarely do we take a moment to simply be — to pause and notice the small gifts that surround us. That’s where our Gratitude Bracelet steps in, as a gentle reminder to slow down, reconnect, and practice the art of grateful living—all with three simple words. 

Stop, look, go. 

Red Beads—Stop. Breathe. Notice.
The air entering your lungs. The quiet hum of your surroundings. The stillness that arises when you pause.

This isn’t just about stopping the hustle but creating space to reconnect with yourself and the world around you. It’s a radical and counter-cultural act — to slow down in a world that tells us to go faster.

Cream Beads—Look. Acknowledge. Appreciate.
The softness of your favorite sweater. The playfulness of a breeze against your skin. The miracle of connection in a shared smile.

Gratitude wakes us up. It transforms ordinary moments into divine experiences, helping us notice all the ways life is gently supporting us.

Green Beads—Go. Engage. Live gratefully.
What would happen if, instead of rushing through your day, you approached it with a heart full of gratitude? How might your relationships shift? Your mood? Your perspective?

Gratitude is not about denying the hard parts of life but acknowledging that even in pain, there is still something beautiful. It’s about finding connection — with yourself, with others, with the divine — and allowing that connection to guide you forward. 

Mindfulness Practice #5: Mindful Beading 

When your mind is not present, it starts to wander—into worries about the future, into regrets of the past, or even other anxieties. However, mindfulness calls us to recognize this pattern, guiding us back to the here and now. At its core, mindfulness is about noticing when our thoughts stray and gently pulling them back, without judgment, to where life is actually happening — the present moment. With our Mindful Beading Pack, we invite you to experience this practice in a tactile and creative way. As you create a bracelet, you’ll have an opportunity to anchor yourself in the moment, focusing on your breath and the feel of each bead. The process itself becomes a meditative ritual, giving you something beautiful to wear as a reminder to stay grounded.

How to Use Your Bracelet for Mindful Breathing:

1. Inhale deeply for 4 counts, then exhale for 6. As you breathe, allow yourself to slow down, letting each breath guide you.
   

2. Begin by picking up one bead at a time. Notice the texture, weight, and shape of each bead. Let your awareness rest on these simple sensations.
   

3. Lay out your beads in a pattern that feels right to you. If your thoughts begin to wander, return to your breath and the beads in your hands.
   

4. String your bracelet slowly, allowing your breath to anchor you. If you feel impatient or make a mistake, take a deep breath and return to the present moment.
   

5. Once finished, tie off your bracelet and admire it. Take a moment to appreciate your creation and the calm it brought you. Inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 6. Repeat this process twice more, allowing yourself to settle into a sense of peace.
   

6. Wear your bracelet as a reminder to come back to your breath, especially in moments of stress or distraction.

Mindfulness isn’t about emptying your mind of thoughts or stopping them altogether. It’s about noticing your thoughts and choosing not to get swept away by them. In beading, this practice is clear: if you find yourself frustrated, take a breath and notice the sensation without judgment. Exhale, let the frustration go, and return to the task at hand.

The next time you find yourself caught up in stressful thoughts or difficult emotions, use this same practice. Remember, you don’t have to be at the mercy of your thoughts—you have the power to choose where your attention goes.

Practicing Mindfulness