First, I am still meditating, daily and it has made me more present but also made me have more fun! I wrote a bit about my journey at the 6-month mark, found here. This has been a wonderful new habit that I have started, and I don’t see it ending anytime soon. I still know that I am a total beginner. But if I can inspire anyone to learn about meditation, I am happy to chat away about my experience! I am far from an expert on the subject but am happy to share what I have learned in this short time.
Now I do not sit properly in a chair on most days or on a mat with my legs crossed. I am pretty sure that if that had been a requirement, I would not have finished the year!
I have found a few things that have made this journey successful for me:
I am an early bird and this has been one of my particular keys to success. Are you a night owl? Any time of the day that works for you is the perfect time to do this! I wake up early and am pretty wide awake when I wake up, but I am not always ready to get out of my cozy bed, so I have found this is my best time to meditate. Also, my kids are not babies so that helps!
Another thing that has helped me going daily is my meditation app. I know apps are far from the traditional way to practice meditation but again, I do not think I would have continued without it! I love the little nuggets of wisdom that I get at the beginning of each guided meditation session, and then I love the accountability that the app gives me. I don’t think I will use it forever, but it has been a great jumping off point!
Here are a few things I have learned this year:
-Meditation is the practice of learning to live in the present moment and to have FUN while doing it!
-My mind is still so busy living in the past and the future and I have to work daily to be present.
-My kids learned meditation in elementary school and I will be forever grateful that they were exposed to this skill at such a young age.
-It is hard to be present when times are tough, when I am angry or annoyed or when I can’t sleep, which is when I need presence the most, so I have to work harder at it during those times.
-I am enjoying everyday moments, being more present, having fun and loving every minute of these new habits!
-I have learned that learning and practicing meditation and being present is a lifelong process and I can’t wait for the fulfillment and fun that it will continue to add to my life!