Was your first experience meditating anything remarkable?

I cannot say it was for me…

Six years ago I tried meditating for the first time.

I would wake up early, keep the room dark, light a candle. + begin “ohmmmmming.” Of course, crossed my legs + put my hands on my knees.

I felt SO silly + that it was unnatural. But, I continued to try to meditate.

I believed meditating meant clearing your mind of ALL thoughts. No matter what, my mind kept wandering. I couldn’t quiet my thoughts + get “zen” like I was supposed to.

20 minutes later, I felt like it was a waste of time. Honestly, my energy didn’t feel any better.

For some reason, meditating has been built up in society to make us think it needs to be a certain way.

But, recently… I decided to make my own rules when it comes to meditation + actually made mediating part of my new morning routine.

For about 3 weeks I have been successful with meditating for at least 5 days a week.

It’s now EASY for me + I look forward to it. I genuinely feel so much more positive, focused, + confident after my practice each time.

Want to know my secrets to making meditating a habit? Keep reading.

Meditating for Beginners [How I FINALLY Made Meditating a Daily Habit]

When it comes to meditating, so many of us put the pressure on ourselves to make it look + sound a certain way. You must allow yourself to let go of what you think meditating is.

That’s where the magic happened for me.

I stopped reading books about meditating.
I stopped googling how to meditate.
stopped following “rules” I thought I needed to follow.

I have learned that meditating is very personal. Since it’s so close to us, it’s unique to every person. Therefore, there are NO RULES!!!

So, I have included a list of 6 self-imposed “rules” that I let go of when it comes to meditating.

Once I let go of these 6 things, I was able to experience the benefits of meditating + was able to make it part of my daily routine.

6 Things You Need to Let Go Of

1. You Need to Meditate Early In the Morning Every Day

You can literally meditate any time you want to or need to during the day. I happen to like to meditate when I wake up because it helps me set my intentions for the day. But, I meditated last night because I felt like I needed to to calm my mind!

You can meditate in the late morning, early afternoon, or right before dinner time. Really, any time of the day.

Also, don’t feel the need to always stick to the same time every day or the same amount of times you meditate. For some people, they might enjoy meditating every day, twice a day, three times a week, or even once a week.

When you let go of the idea that the act of meditating needs to follow a schedule + timeframe, you’ll actually find yourself wanting to do it more + more.

Related: 7 WAYS TO COPE WITH STRESS + ANXIETY

2. You Need to Be in a Quiet, “Zen” Environment

I personally like the room to be quiet when I meditate. But, the place I am in actually doesn’t really matter much.

I have meditated on my couch + in my bed. Both rooms are nice, I guess. But, they definitely wouldn’t scream “zen” to anyone who saw it. Just regular rooms in a house that have zero attachment to yogi vibes.

Hey, if you want to make a space in your house dedicated to meditating + positive vibes, have at it! That’s amazing!

But, releasing the idea that it “needs” to be is so freeing.

You can meditate in your kitchen, car, at your work desk, standing in front of your laundry machine, or on the subway. Really, just focus on the idea that you are trying to calm your thoughts + welcome a more positive energy filled with lots of gratitude + peace.

3. You Need to Cross Your Legs + Lay Your Hands on Your Knees

WHY DO WE THINK THIS IS A MUST!?

Legit, I put myself in that classic meditation position so many times as I tried to escape my anxious body + make meditation a thing in my life.

I have found that I actually can’t stand sitting like that to meditate. If you do, that’s great! If not, don’t worry… your body can move other ways + you can still reap the exact same benefits.

When you meditate, you can: stand, sit on a chair, lay down on the floor, lay under your covers in your bed, prop your head up, lay on your side, be in plank position… whatever you want.

The focus is not on the POSITION, but on your mind, energy, + overall feelings.

I just recommend you pick positions that you are comfortable in so you’re not spending the whole time thinking about how uncomfortable your body feels.

Related: HOW TO STOP PEOPLE PLEASING

4. You Need to Close Your Eyes + Make a “Ohmmmm” Sound

I won’t lie, the “ohhhhhmmm” sound actually feel good when I do it towards the end of a meditation. But, you don’t have to say it at all.

You can just focus on your breath, talk yourself through a meditation, speak your intentions for the day, or sit in complete silence.

Also, don’t feel like you need to close your eyes. You can keep them open, close the half the time… whatever you want.

Like what I said about the position you put yourself in, you need to be comfortable + to do what feels GOOD to you!

When you feel good that’s where the positive thoughts come in + the uplifting energy flows.

5. You Need to Meditate in Complete Silence or With Calming Music

You don’t have to sit in silence with a candle burning, nor do you have to play calming music with bells + flowing water in the background.

Or, go for it.

You can listen to guided meditations, sit in silence, listen to music, listen to sounds around you, listen to your breath.. your voice… whatever you want.

The purpose of meditating is to become aware of yourself, your body, + your thoughts.

Whatever sounds will lead you to any level of awareness will be the right choice for you.

Related: MINDFULNESS FOR BEGINNERS: 10 SIMPLE WAYS TO BE MINDFUL EVERY DAY

6. You Need to Completely Rid of Your Thoughts

BOY OH BOY when I let go of this self-imposed “rule” I was able to make meditating an actual habit in my morning routine. My thoughts go a million miles a minute + I struggle with stressful feelings + anxiety regularly.

So, quieting my thoughts is an extremely unrealistic approach to meditating.

I feel like this one is a major reason so many people quit when they try to make meditating a habit.

News flash: YOU DON’T HAVE TO QUIET YOUR THOUGHTS COMPLETELY.

Instead, give yourself grace. When you find your mind wandering (which is so natural), gently bring it back to what you want to focus on. Don’t restart your meditation, get mad at yourself, or give up.

OR, you might be thinking happy, up-lifting thoughts that are bringing you peace + happiness! Then, let those thoughts flow!

What My Meditation Routine Looks Like

Remember, meditating is a very personal experience + is unique to every person. So, this routine might not work for you!

But, it just might.

My hope is that you read this simple routine of mine + that you’re inspired to create your own!

[Note: This is what I generally follow with my AM routine 90% of the time! I sometimes will meditate other times of day, too, or switch this up a little.]

1. I wake up + make myself a hot cup of coffee.

2. I get cozy back in my bed under the covers + lay with my upper back/head propped up with pillows [usually, I invite my dog Benny up!].

3. I use the app Insight Timer app or YouTube to choose a guided meditation between 2-10 minutes.

4. I put my phone next to me + listen to the meditation. I only close my eyes or make noise with my mouth if it tells me.

5. While I listen, I sip my coffee when I want.

6. I focus on taking really deep breaths when I think of it + focus on breathing in good energies + releasing negative energies.

7. I journal for 2-5 minutes right after.

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