Creating an authentic meditation routine is challenging, yet we all require instances of tranquility.
I’ve struggled to articulate my path with mindfulness. Initially, I was an anxious individual continuously fueled by hustle and the glorification of fatigue. Although my exterior sometimes didn’t reveal this, as I had been conditioned from a young age to maintain a professional mask of false serenity, internally, I was in turmoil.
I began my yoga journey in 2018 and ventured into meditation in 2019. Both practices are deeply connected to my overall approach to mindfulness, which I aim to integrate into various aspects of my life. I see myself as a recovering workaholic; there are numerous mental barriers that hinder our transition into a meditative state when we become fixated on our productivity and the endless tasks we can complete in a single day.
I’ve gained enough insight to recognize how far I still have to go in this journey.
My fiancé and I have met a multitude of exceptionally talented artists, musicians, and creative techies in NYC, and we’ve observed a pattern. Individuals committed to something—regardless of what it is—tend to underplay their skill level. Many who have honed their craft still describe themselves as novices.
I don’t wish to come across as presumptuous by claiming that I’m at a certain level of mindfulness—doing so would undermine the significance of this practice for me. However, I’ve progressed enough to grasp a bit more of the profoundness of the journey ahead. I am genuinely a beginner. Yet, despite the road ahead, it no longer feels like an overwhelming endeavor. I’ve made small strides on this path, and I’m confident that with consistent practice and meditation nearly every day, I will continue to refine this skill. More importantly, I appreciate the tranquility gained in each session along the way.
Meditation has become more accessible and genuinely calming.
At the outset of my meditation journey, I repeatedly fell into a trap. My frustration over my racing thoughts would leave me feeling ashamed for not being “good at meditation,” guilty for wasting time, and overall dissatisfied. Sometimes, I would even engage in odd behaviors, like using meditation periods to brainstorm writing ideas—which oddly enough, felt soothing in its own way.
My experience with meditation significantly improved once I prioritized my mental health. Although I should have addressed this sooner, I started seeing a therapist in 2021, and I haven’t looked back since. Navigating the complexities of paperwork and expenses related to health care can be daunting, but tackling the root of my chaotic thoughts—anxiety—directly has transformed my capacity to slow down, find tranquility, and meditate.
You must uncover the practices that resonate with you.
I’m still a fan of guided meditation. Whether in a workshop led by a meditation facilitator or through an online recording, guided sessions generally work better for me than complete silence or just sound. If you’ve attempted traditional meditation but found your thoughts unruly, guided meditations incorporating visualizations can significantly shift your mental experience.
This is where experimentation plays a role. Even within the realm of guided meditations, numerous combinations of breathing exercises, visualizations, gentle movements, or somatic gestures—like tapping on your body or rubbing your limbs—are available. Explore everything. Even if it seems silly at first, find a private spot where you can rhythmically tap on your shoulders. Give it a try; you might discover that an unexpected approach greatly enhances your practice.
For me, meditations featuring visualizations resonate deeply. I was fortunate to be part of a profoundly spiritual yoga studio that took a practical viewpoint toward mindfulness and the “woo-woo” aspects of yoga, as we often term it in the west. Their practical approach, emphasizing how meditation calms the nervous system, allowed me to engage with it more open-mindedly. They guided meditations on self-love and other themes, which felt grounded enough for a skeptic like me to embrace.
It’s permissible to bend the rules a bit if you’re reaping emotional benefits.
If you remain present and centered in the moment, I believe there’s flexibility in how we engage with these practices. There are instances when my energy dips, and I’ll lie down to