Let’s be honest—meditation sounds great in theory. You sit still, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and emerge as a glowing, peaceful goddess, floating through the chaos of life like a Zen master. Except… that’s not what actually happens with most of us.
Instead, you sit down, get comfy, close your eyes, and—BAM—your brain decides now is the perfect time to remember that embarrassing thing you said in 1998. Or it starts reciting your to-do list at full volume. Or your kids suddenly “need” you for something “urgent” (like finding the remote they “just” had). Sound familiar?
If you’ve ever thought, “Why is meditation so hard?”, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing—it’s not that you’re bad at meditating. It’s just that life is loud, and your brain is busy. And that’s exactly why meditation can be so powerful.
Your brain doesn’t like being told to sit still and be quiet. It wants to think, to solve problems, to wonder if you left the oven on. Expecting it to suddenly shut up is like expecting a toddler to ignore a giant bowl of lollies. It’s just not happening.
We’re wired to ‘do’. Between work, family, and life admin, we spend so much time ticking boxes that stopping to just breathe can feel unnatural. If you’ve ever sat down to meditate and immediately thought, ‘I should be doing something productive’, welcome to the club.
There’s a myth that meditation means sitting in silence for 30 minutes, thinking about nothing. Spoiler: That’s impossible. Meditation isn’t about emptying your mind—it’s about noticing where it goes and gently bringing it back. You’re allowed to have thoughts! The goal is to notice them without getting carried away.
The good news? Meditation doesn’t have to be another thing on your to-do list. Here’s how to sneak it into your life, no lotus position required.
You don’t need 30 minutes. Start with one minute. Literally. Close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and notice how your body feels. That’s it. Done. Even one minute of stillness can shift your energy.
Waiting for the kettle to boil? Breathe deeply instead of scrolling your phone. Stopped at a red light? Take a slow inhale and exhale. Meditation doesn’t have to be a grand event—it’s just a pause.
Apps like Insight Timer or Headspace can talk you through meditation, so you’re not left alone with your racing thoughts. Think of it as having a kind, calm friend in your ear.
Washing the dishes? Feel the warmth of the water. Walking to the car? Notice the air on your skin. Being present in tiny ways throughout the day IS meditation—it just doesn’t come with incense.
You don’t have to be ‘good’ at meditating for it to work. Even if your brain is a circus, even if you forget one day, even if your kids interrupt—every moment of stillness counts. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.
So go ahead. Take a breath. You’re doing great. 💛
