meditation is what you make it
I sat down to meditate last week. It felt like a chore. I’ve always meditated first thing in the morning because it’s my most effective time. I’ve tried other times, but nothing compares. Still, it’s hard to find the motivation to focus on something specific right after you wake up.
My usual routine involves a lengthy process: aligning my mind, setting intentions, and so on, which works well for me. But when life is busy, even that initial step can be a struggle. Sometimes, the mind is too restless, and I don’t even make it through the process before I’m lost in thoughts.
When you don’t get to the core of your meditation, it can bring up frustration or even judgment, feelings that undermine entirely what you’re trying to achieve. And I realised once again: I don’t have to do this. It’s my practice. Sometimes, it’s enough to sit quietly and allow myself to think, free from distractions.
Too often, we put pressure on ourselves to make meditation unfold a certain way. But sometimes, the simple act of sitting and letting the mind wander is needed. The mind will eventually tire itself out; after a while, there’s nothing left to think about. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s a possibility.
We rarely give ourselves the space to do this. We’re constantly surrounded by distractions—emails, group chats, and podcasts. Our minds are bombarded with information, leaving us to process it all. We can easily feel mentally drained without time to let the brain catch up.
Meditation doesn’t always have to be a focused practice. Sometimes, it’s simply about sitting in peace and letting your thoughts come and go. If you can bring awareness to that process, even better. But if you can’t, don’t beat yourself up about it.
This approach has made my meditation more manageable and enjoyable. It’s almost become a source of humour, just giving myself space to think and gain clarity on my life.
If you’re new to meditation or unsure, try starting with just 10 minutes daily. Give yourself that time to let your mind process, and if you can add some awareness to it, even better.