Meditation is the worst. It’s the absolute suckiest thing ever.

I don’t have time to meditate; I mean seriously, who can spare ten minutes? It’s just another thing on my list of things I should do, like have a colonoscopy.

Sure, there are a ton of benefits, but it’s also weird, and people will think I’ve turned into some kind of navel gazing psycho if I’m caught doing it.

Or is it though?

The two biggest challenges students have with meditation are feeling like they’re doing it wrong (easily fixable) and not being able to find the time to squeeze it in.

When I dig deeper, I find that not being able to find the time to squeeze it in isn’t a completely accurate description of why they “can’t fit it in”. 

I think it’s more accurate to say that they think meditation is drudgery, something they “should” do. Something borderline painful, just another chore. 

I’ve also had students who have people around them who “don’t get” meditation, or think it’s weird. These students aren’t comfortable telling others that they’re off to meditate for a bit. 

It’s likely some of these people are just plain uncomfortable making time for self care.

I read an article recently and the author noticed that her self care wasn’t on the bottom of her list of things to do; it wasn’t on the list at all.

If you’re not meditating, which reason explains your situation? Granted, there genuinely people who struggle to fit in ten minutes of absolutely essential things (I’m looking at you moms, your job is hard) but what about everyone else.

What if you started telling yourself different stories about things like meditation? 

Did you know that after you get through the first month of a regular meditation practice, it begins to flow and feel like a mini-vacation? Granted, you can’t guarantee that EVERY meditation feels amazing, but the frequency of awesome meditations increases as you build those new neuropathways.

Also, totally weird but cool fact. You still get ALL the benefits even when a meditation feels blah. Which is cool too.

So why not go ahead, treat this as a bit of luxurious self care, and make sure it’s high on your list. 

You’ll be more efficient, you’ll feel better, and you’ll be more patient and pleasant. That means the people around you will like you more. It’s a win-win kind of situation. 

Seriously, this is even better than dark chocolate being good for you. Something that can be so rewarding, and feel so good, also being really effing good for you?! 

If you don’t know where to start, or want a refresher, take my Foundation of meditation course. If you already know how to meditate, then start telling yourself better stories. Ones that support the things that truly benefit you. Stories that help you feel fulfilled and supported.