Crafting a genuine meditation routine is challenging, yet we all require moments of tranquility.
I’ve struggled to articulate my path with mindfulness. Initially, I was a soul burdened by anxiety, constantly fueled by hustle and the glorification of exhaustion. While it might not have been apparent in my demeanor, having been conditioned from an early age to maintain a professional mask of false composure, I was a turmoil within.
I began my yoga practice in 2018 and explored meditation in 2019. Both practices resonate profoundly with my overall mindfulness journey, although I aim to carry that awareness into all aspects of my life. I view myself as a recovering workaholic; there are numerous mental barriers that prevent us from entering a meditative state when we become fixated on our productivity and how much we can accomplish in a day.
I’ve gained enough insight to recognize just how early I am in this journey.
My fiancé and I have been meeting many exceptionally skilled artists, musicians, and technical creatives in NYC, and we’re observing a pattern. Individuals who are dedicated to something—regardless of what that is—tend to understate their proficiency. Many who have honed their craft still refer to themselves as novices.
I don’t wish to come off as pretentious by claiming I’m at that level of mindfulness; that would undermine the significance of what this practice embodies for me. However, I have progressed enough to glimpse more of the true breadth of my journey ahead. I’m essentially a beginner. Yet, despite the distance remaining, it no longer feels like a daunting undertaking. I’ve made incremental progress on this path, and I’m assured that if I continue to show up and meditate nearly every day, I will further sharpen this skill. More importantly, I can enjoy the soothing rewards of calm during each session.
Meditation is becoming simpler and feels truly comforting.
When I first began meditation, each session led me into a frustrating cycle. I would become so exasperated by my racing thoughts that I would finish feeling ashamed of not being “good at meditation,” guilty about wasting time, and overall discontented. At times, I even engaged in peculiar activities, such as brainstorming for my writing projects during meditation—though that had its own soothing effect.
My journey in meditation became significantly more manageable once I started prioritizing my mental well-being. Although I realize I should have embarked on this sooner, I began therapy in 2021 and have never looked back. Navigating the paperwork and expenses related to healthcare can be daunting, yet addressing the root cause of my chaotic thoughts—anxiety—has remarkably improved my ability to slow down, achieve calm, and meditate.
It’s essential to uncover which practices you truly appreciate.
I’m a fan of guided meditation, even now. Whether participating in a workshop with a meditation leader or simply listening to a recording online, guided sessions tend to be far more effective for me than complete silence or just audio components. If you’ve attempted traditional meditation but find your thoughts too noisy, guided meditations with elements like visualizations can significantly transport you to a new and distinct mental space.
This is where a touch of experimentation comes into play. Even within guided meditations, there exists a wealth of combinations of breathing exercises, visualizations, soft movements, or somatic gestures such as tapping on your body, rubbing your limbs, and a variety of other mindfulness practices. Experiment with everything. Even if it feels absurd at the outset, find a private space where nobody will see you rhythmically tapping your shoulders. Give it a shot. You might discover that an unexpected element truly enhances your practice.
For me, meditations featuring a visualization component resonate profoundly. I was fortunate to be part of a spiritually inclined yoga studio that approached mindfulness and the “woo-woo” aspects of yoga—what we affectionately call it in the west—with practicality. Their focus on how meditation calms the nervous system allowed me to engage with an open mind. They conducted guided meditations on self-love and other topics that felt tangible enough for a skeptic like me to fully embrace.
It’s perfectly fine to bend the rules a bit if you’re experiencing emotional benefits from it.
As long as you remain present and grounded in the moment, I believe there’s some flexibility in how we engage with these practices. There are instances when my energy wanes, and I’ll lie down to