Ciao!
Today, I want to share something I've been exploring and finding incredibly valuable: the practice of meditation and embracing stillness. It's been a game-changer for me, and I truly believe it could be for you too.
I started meditating after recommending it and having it recommended to me for years. I was really gimmicky in my love for it but I knew that deep down I believed in what the practice was capable of. If we're being one thousand percent honest, I started meditating properly because of two things:
I wanted to be able to say that I meditate and mean it
I put conscious effort into including Open in my morning rituals
As a heads up, I don't work with nor for Open, there's no sponsorships (although wow what a dream), but it's an app that really worked for me. I won't lie, the aesthetics of it all plays a role, but the different methods and techniques used are always a joy to explore. Open also seems intentional with their vocals which are important to me. The app also has yoga and breathwork as well. As always, there's a link to get a free month with them linked onto the email.
Nonetheless, my superficial ass reason to meditate ended up showing me the real ass reason I should be meditating. The practice of participating in a ritual that feels like my own, something dedicated to me, became important in a way I wasn't expecting. I noticed that I enjoyed putting in the conscious effort to invest the ten minutes that will pay back dividends in how I handle my day, my moods throughout, my outlook, and my intention.
Lately my meditation routine includes a smoke beforehand, a sit outside, headphones, and time without distractions. I found these things help elevate my experience and while it may take a bit more time, it's definitely worth the effort.
After finding myself falling in love with meditation, I got deeper into my favorite parts - the neuroscience behind it:
The Science Behind MeditationI recently came across an amazing neuroscience fact about meditation: it can actually change our brain's structure! Regular meditation strengthens areas linked to memory, emotional balance, and self-awareness. How incredible is that? It's the anti-aging medicine for your brain!
Simple Steps that Helped My Journey:
Find Your Quiet Corner: Something comforting but allows you to stay awake. I sit outside with headphones on or dip into a room.
Setting Time Goals: I started with 10 guided minutes a day, but do what feels right for you.
Breathing as a Focus: Count your breaths at the bottom of your exhales or notice the spaces in between your breaths.
Welcoming Wandering Thoughts: I use a technique called noting when thoughts arrive: simply note where your mind went then go back to your breath. Ex. “worry." “thinking”
Being Kind to Myself: There were years of halfass effort and failed attempts but leaning into making it mine and finding my groove helped a lot.
I'm finding these moments of stillness incredibly enriching and I believe they can bring a sense of calm and clarity to your life as well. It's a journey we can embark on together! Let's embrace this path of mindfulness and see where it leads us.
If you're having trouble getting started on your journey like I did, try Open's free month. It was so beneficial for my journey.