Some reviewers noted that its uptempo production differed from Michelle's previous singles, and she stated that it was one of the first times she recorded a more light-hearted song.

Eric Cire produced the vocals, and Chris Athens mastered the track, along with those for the rest of the album, at his personal studio in Austin, Texas.

[4] In 2016, Michelle performed the song at the album's release party at Webster Hall in New York City and the Hot 104.1's Super Jam concert in St.

[9] The production of the "Mindful" video was shown on the reality television series Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta, in which Karlie Redd appeared on the set to have a discussion with Michelle.

[16] It is intercut with sequences of Michelle cleaning her house while wearing a sheer dress, pink heels, and a blonde bob cut.

[22][23] Reviewing More Issues Than Vogue for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Bill Chenevert classified all its tracks, including "Mindful", as "full-on urban R&B and hip-hop".

[29] In a review for Cape Argus, Helen Herimbi cited the song, as well as "Nightstand" and "Rich", as examples of how Michelle was "not trying to be a pretty R&B diva".

[24] AllMusic's Andy Kellman praised T-Pain's songs for providing a "strong, strutting start" to the album; however, he picked "Got Em Like" as a high point and not "Mindful".

[32] Seriah Buckler wrote that she "rides the beat like a seasoned lyricist", and described the song as "laden with raw bars and a flow that your favorite rapper couldn't carry".