Creating a Genuine Meditation Routine is Challenging, Yet Everyone Requires Moments of Quietude
I have struggled to articulate my path with mindfulness. Initially, I was the anxiety-prone individual reliant on a constant infusion of hustle energy and the glorification of exhaustion. My demeanor might not have indicated it, as I had been conditioned from childhood to maintain a professional mask of feigned tranquility, but internally I was a turmoil.
I began practicing yoga in 2018 and ventured into meditation in 2019. Both practices are intimately connected to my overall mindfulness journey, although I aim to carry that awareness into all aspects of my life. I see myself as a recovering workaholic; numerous mental barriers hinder our ability to enter a meditative state when our focus is fixated on productivity and how much we can achieve in a day.
I’ve acquired enough insight to recognize just how early I am in this journey.
My fiancé and I have been encountering numerous exceptionally skilled artists, musicians, and technical creatives in NYC, revealing a pattern. Individuals dedicated to their craft, regardless of what it is, typically do not inflate their skill level. Many who have honed their skills still refer to themselves as beginners.
I don’t wish to come across as boastful by asserting I’m at that level with mindfulness — that would diminish many aspects of what this practice signifies for me. However, I have progressed sufficiently to realize the true depth of how much further I must go. I’m an absolute novice. Yet, despite the lengthy journey ahead, it no longer feels like an intimidating undertaking. I’ve managed to take small steps forward on this path, and I’m assured that with consistent meditation almost daily, I will continue to refine this skill. More importantly, I can enjoy the calm benefits in each session along the way.
Meditation is becoming more manageable and genuinely comforting.
When I initially began meditating, I repeatedly fell into a pitfall. I became so frustrated by my racing thoughts that I emerged from the experience feeling ashamed of not being “good at meditation,” guilty for spending time unwisely, and overall discontent. I would even engage in somewhat peculiar behavior, like utilizing meditation time to brainstorm my writing projects — which, in its own way, was quite soothing.
My meditation journey became significantly easier once I began to prioritize my mental health more seriously. Although I wish I had started earlier, I began working with a therapist in 2021 and haven’t looked back since. Navigating the paperwork and expenses related to healthcare can be daunting, but addressing the root cause of my chaotic thoughts — anxiety — in a direct manner has been transformative for my ability to slow down, discover calmness, and meditate.
You must find the practices that resonate with you.
I’m fond of guided meditations, even now. Whether it’s in a workshop with a meditation instructor or simply a recording found online, guided meditations often prove more effective for me than complete silence or merely an auditory element. If traditional meditation hasn’t worked out for you due to racing thoughts, guided meditations incorporating visualizations can significantly aid in transporting you to a different mental space.
This is where some experimentation is beneficial. Even within guided meditations, there are myriad combinations of breathing exercises, visualizations, gentle movements, or somatic gestures like tapping on your body, rubbing your limbs, and countless other mindful practices. Explore everything. Even if it feels silly initially, carve out some alone time where no one will witness you rhythmically tapping your shoulders. Give it a shot. You might discover that an unexpected approach greatly enhances your practice.
For me, meditations featuring a visualization aspect resonate deeply. I had the privilege to be part of a profoundly spiritual yoga studio with a practical approach to mindfulness and the “woo-woo” side of yoga, as we often refer to it in the West. However, their practical focus on how meditation calms the nervous system allowed me to approach it with an open mind. They would conduct guided meditations centered on self-love and other topics that were grounded enough for a skeptic like me to engage with.
It’s acceptable to bend the rules slightly if you experience emotional benefits.
If you remain present and grounded, I believe there’s flexibility in how we engage with these practices. There are moments when my energy dips, and I’ll lay down to