3 Tips to (Finally) Meditate Consistently
It's a new year and something I've been hearing often is:
"I want to meditate more this year."
Of course, I absolutely love hearing that!!
I'm on a mission to create more meditators and meditation guides so I want to support anyone who wants to try meditation or deepen their meditation practice.
Like so many other things, one of the most difficult parts of creating a meditation habit is to maintain some element of consistency as you get started to make the habit stick.
Today, I'm going to share my top three tips to create a consistent meditation practice that helps you take steps toward the person you want to be in 2025 (and much beyond).
Oh, and stick around till the end of the email to learn about my FREE 30-Day Meditation Challenge that begins January 20th (next Monday!!) to help you develop a consistent and fulfilling meditation practice this year.
And guess what? This year there is a HUGE GIVEAWAY just for signing up!✨
1. Get clear on your intention for meditating.
Another phrase you'll often hear is to define your "why".
Really though... why do you want to meditate?
If it's because you read somewhere online that it's good for you or your Aunt Cindy told you to try it at New Year's dinner, it might not be a strong enough reason to make the habit stick.
So, why do you want to meditate more?
Some answers I've heard before and loved included things like:
"I want to be more present in my life."
"I want to be more aware of what I am feeling."
"I recently lost someone in my life and want to process that."
"I want to create a more supportive and understanding inner dialogue."
"I just want to have a few moments of stillness added to my chaotic days."
"I want to show my kids it's important to slow down sometimes."
Maybe your answer is something like one of the following and maybe not. The thing is, it has to be unique and meaningful to you.
One word of caution: The intention of 'becoming more calm' might not be the best intention to help you create a consistent meditation practice.
Can you become more calm from meditating? Yes.
But I see it as more of a byproduct than as a direct result.
Sometimes the act of slowing down, breathing, and taking notice (this is what happens when we meditate) can bring up thoughts, feelings, and emotions that don't lead us to feel calm. And that's okay.
It's all part of this magical process of gaining a deeper understanding and deeper relationship with ourselves.
So, what's your intention behind creating a meditation practice? Write it down... and maybe reply to this email! I'd love to hear it.
2. Understand the common meditation myths that might get in your way.
People often give up on their meditation practice because they think they are doing it wrong... (and that makes me sad).
What's usually happening is they are letting common meditation myths tell them they are doing it wrong and start to feel defeated.
Here are the common myths to watch out for:
Myth: I have to meditate in a seated posture.
Truth: Meditation can look any way that feels comfortable to you. Sitting on a cushion. Sitting on the couch. Laying in bed. Standing. Going for a walk.
Myth: I have to meditate for a long time for it to work.
Truth: There is no right or wrong duration of how long you need to meditate. You can meditate for 30 seconds and feel a powerful shift. You could meditate for 30 minutes and feel the same thing. It's about creating awareness first and foremost.
Myth: I have to do a guided meditation whenever I meditate.
Truth: If meditating is simply the act of becoming aware, there are many ways to do that. Yes, you can listen to a guided meditation (like the ones I often make). Or you could sit in silence. Or play a calming playlist and breathe. Or go for a walk in nature.
Myth: My mind shouldn't wander during my meditation practice.
Truth: Your mind will wander when you meditate. I can almost guarantee it. Simply become aware of when it does, accept it, and gently guide yourself back to your breath and your being. Repeat as many times as needed. It's all part of the process.
3. Make meditation more accessible (and fun).
Meditation does NOT have to look a certain way. And it doesn't have to look the same way each time you meditate!
Remember, meditation does not have to look like sitting cross-legged in a dark room that is silent with candles lit and meditating for 20 minutes.
It can look that way, but that's an unrealistic standard to hold ourselves to all the time.
Try meditating for 3 minutes one day while sitting with your morning cup of coffee. Try a walking meditation the next day. Try meditating while you do your makeup. Try meditating for 10 minutes listening to your favorite instrumental playlist.
Make it fun!! Bring meditation into parts of your day instead of feeling like you have to find more time to meditate - because I know y'all are busy.
My friend, you don't have to do it alone.
Sometimes the hardest part of starting something new or trying to build habits is feeling like we have to do it all on our own. Ugh.
That's why I want to invite you to join me for my FREE 30-Day Meditation Challenge that starts on January 20th! Yes, that is next Monday!
I'll tell you more about it next week, but here are the highlights:
Enjoy short, fun, unique daily meditation challenges sent directly to your email so you can meditate whatever time is best
Learn about new ways to meditate and find out what you enjoy most
Join and connect with a community of people on the same journey as you
Enter to win prizes (like a huge basket of all my favorite things including all the self-care goodies I use often and love and so much more)
