Last week, I decided to set a new goal and tried meditating every day for 15 minutes. Between juggling the demands of school, work, and other responsibilities, I realized that I was not taking care of myself. So, I hoped that changing my routine and starting meditation might help me feel more focused and calm.
Day 1: A Challenging Start
On the first day, I decided to meditate in the morning and started small by waking up early. I spent a good chunk of time trying to find the suitable meditation video . Once I settled on one, I struggled with concentrating on my breathing – it wasn’t as simple as I thought! My mind kept wandering to all the tasks I needed to complete that day. Despite the distractions, I was able to push through the 15 minutes.
Day 2: Figuring Out The “When”
For the second day, I decided to meditate in the evening, hoping it would help me unwind after a long day. This time I played some peaceful music in the background to help me focus. While it did help me focus better, I was too tired to relax and finish the 15 minutes. This experience made me realize that I liked meditating in the morning as it set a nicer tone for the rest of the day.
Day 3: Finding The Rhythm
On day three, I started meditating in the morning and used some incense to create a warm environment. Adding incense made the whole experience more calming as I enjoyed the freshness it provided early in the morning. While I still felt a little distracted, I was able to focus on my breathing. Afterward, I felt calmer and more organized, which made it easier to plan my day and I could prioritize better.
Days 4 – 5: Settling Into a New Routine
By the fourth day, meditation had become a part of my morning routine. I no longer had to push myself to get out of bed – it was something I started looking forward to! By the fifth day, focusing for the full 15 minutes did not feel forced. I enjoyed those few minutes and let my thoughts slow down, making me feel centered.
Days 6 – 7: I Did It!
By the end of the week, I was able to feel the benefits of daily meditation. I noticed an improvement in my ability to organize, focus, and manage stress. I felt more present and grounded, which made me happy. And the best part? I was way less reactive when days got challenging. It’s crazy how 15 minutes of meditation could make such a big difference!
Takeaways
Some tips that made it easier to follow through with this challenge:
- Finding the right time made such a big difference for me when I tried meditation in the morning vs the night
- Finding the balance by starting small – 15 minutes helped me stay committed, but many start with 5, 10, or even 20 minutes!
- Finding the right space! For me, using the same space everyday helped me stay focused
