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Meditation 30-Day Challenge

So my office is really obsessed with 30 and 100 day challenges. The 100 day challenges are definitely more on a more personal level, but we tend to group up for 30 day challenges.
The curl challenge was super fun and definitely an eye-opener. It also felt good to actually stick with it. I didn’t even use our one “It’s Okay to Straighten for New Year’s Eve” cheat day.
I was really looking forward to our latest 30 day challenge. Maxie and I planned to meditate every day for 30 days. We were inspired when a career coach gave us a quick and easy 10-minute guided meditation. I’ve done mediations from time to time in the past, especially during extreme periods of stress.
I thought that committing to spending a month getting in the habit of meditating that I would be much happier, more relaxed, and generally feel better.
We both failed.
I tried to carve out the ten minutes every day to meditate, but it ultimately started to feel like a chore. And I simply began dreading it. It was a chore and I was absolutely horrible at it. I would sit down in a comfortable position, close my eyes, and follow the meditation guide.
Then the thoughts would start…. and they were loud, clear, and oh-so-annoying. I would ask myself how long had I been meditating. When was the ten minutes up? What should I wear in the morning. The tape tells you that it’s okay to have wandering thoughts, but to try to pull them back in to be centered. And instead, I would start thinking how dumb I felt sitting in my room with my eyes closed.
Meditation certainly works for some people. I’m not going to write it off completely, but this 30 day challenge definitely didn’t work for me. Three weeks in, I sent a text message to Maxie asking when this whole ordeal would be over… even admitting that I’d skipped a few days. I felt so guilty to let her down, but it turns out that she was similarly struggling as well.
What I did learn though was that it’s important to figure out the best way to sit down and think or let go or be present.
For me, I find that true-zen-tuned-into-myself mode when I’m showering and when I’m working out. (SoulCycle was the best meditation I did this month, but even just walking through the park alone is wonderful.)
Have you ever meditated? What’s your method or trick? Do you have any great apps or podcasts to recommend?

xoxo
PS Read Maxie’s interpretation on the “Meditation Meltdown.”
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11 Comments

Kate Mitchell

I meditate every day as a part of my yoga practice. It was definitely hard when I first started, but now it's something that I look forward to and that keeps me centered. Beyond that, I'm also Catholic, and I say the rosary on a regular basis. This often ends up being kind of like a meditation, because I'm focusing on what I'm doing and not on the outside world.

Hope this helps!
Kate
katethealmostgreat.blogspot.com

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Hunter Thiers

I used to meditate a lot two years ago! I find it very helpful if you drink tea before because it relaxes your body so your mind isn't as restless. I also found a really great meditation that worked very well for me. Here is what you do.

1. Imagine you are out on the ice where it is cold and harsh
2. Imagine a big pool of water in the middle of the ice
3. Jump into the pool of water
4. While you are swimming through the water imagine all your stress being cast behind you
5. When all your troubles are gone get out of the water and the icy, cold place has turned into a warm relaxing island

I know this is kinda cheesy and all, but it really helps relieve stress and also helps you deal with letting go of the past! I hope this helps 🙂

Hunter
preponabudge.blogspot.com

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Aleksandra Mastalska

I do meditate – the best trick is to sit down and stop thinking. Just stop, when you think about something – don't. Make your head clear, play some relaxation music if it helps and I bet you will give your mind some fresh air 😉

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Mana

I don't think meditation has to be meditation like you were practicing it. I think your soul cycle or the walk in the park are better for some people. It's about being in the zone and just being rather than a certain way to do it. I take the time each day when I'm walking my dog for his first walk. It's usually early morning and everything is quiet and misty where I live (near a river). It's my perfect time to clear my mind, and just breathe before my day gets hectic and busy.

Mana
Fashion and Happy Things

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Maggie Royce

I don't meditate but I am a huge fan of She Reads Truth. While it is a religious thing, it totally distresses me. I write a Word post as my "journaling" I delete it opposed to what you are supposed to do. Deleting it deletes all of my worries but all of my feelings I am more sure about!
M
maggieroyce.com

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Hannah

The only time I meditate is during Yoga, specifically hot yoga. It's a great way to start and practice and really learn how to let your mind go and relax.
Hot yoga for me is a great way to detox and relax.

I know Hulu has some yoga 'channels' I have yet to try out but I really found that being away from your living room or in the right setting is best.

Simplyy-Serendipityy.blogspot.com

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Summer Martin

Whenever I start having thoughts in my head when I meditate I imagine my thoughts drifting away at sea. It's quite normal to have thoughts come in your head but just imagine them floating by in clouds, or drifting away at sea has always worked for me. I am also an "on" and "off" meditator, but I always feel really good when I am meditating everyday, I need to make more time for it!

Summer x

ohsummercandy.blogspot.com

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Cardigans and Chai

I don't meditate, I can't keep my mind silent for long enough to enjoy it. I prefer to do yoga, I think that I'm more mindful when I'm doing something. It's easier to focus on the stretch or going that last mile on the bike than it is to focus on nothing, but it clears my mind nonetheless.

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karahapinohopono

I took my first meditation class in college for headaches. It worked so I kept at it until I forgot, then the headaches would return. Years later, I studied meditation as part of my masters degree in acupuncture. We learned four branches of meditation: Moving meditation (i.e.yoga/QiGong/dance), Visualization techniques (i.e.color/guided imagery/progressive relaxation), Sound techniques (i.e.chanting/clapping/singing) and Mindfulness (i.e.Zen/Dogchen/Vipassana) After teaching meditation to college students the last 5 years, I have found that all techniques work equally well, so long as you find the one that is easiest to fit into your life. For instance, I love Vipassana mindfulness technique when I have time to sit, but after having a baby, I needed something I could do quickly with child in arms, such as breathing techniques or chanting.

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