A few years ago, I thought meditation wasn’t for people like me. I pictured monks, incense, and hours of sitting still — none of which felt like my thing.
But stress has a way of pushing you to try new stuff, and that’s how I ended up giving it a shot. I fumbled through awkward sessions, felt ridiculous at times, but slowly found what worked.
Meditation doesn’t have to feel weird or complicated. If you’re curious but unsure where to begin, here are the tricks that helped me actually enjoy it.
Keep It Short at First
A lot of people give up on meditation because they think they have to sit for an hour or reach some kind of mystical state. That’s not true at all. When I first tried meditating, I set a timer for five minutes.
Five minutes sounds tiny, but when you’re new, it can feel like forever. And that’s okay. The point is to start small enough that you don’t talk yourself out of it.
Once five minutes feels normal, you can go for longer. I found that after a couple of weeks, I wanted to sit for ten minutes without forcing myself.
That was a good sign that I was starting to enjoy the quiet time.
Pick a Spot That Works
You don’t need a fancy cushion, candles, or a perfect view of the sunrise. What matters is choosing a spot where you won’t be interrupted.
I tried meditating on my bed at first, but I kept falling asleep. The couch worked better. For some, it’s a chair, a corner of the living room, or even the car parked in the driveway before work.
The key is consistency. When you pick a spot and use it often, your brain starts to connect that place with relaxation. It’s like muscle memory, but for your mind.
Focus on Breathing Without Overthinking It
One of the first things I struggled with was how to breathe during meditation. I thought I had to do it a certain way — slow, deep, perfect.
But I kept getting frustrated. What helped was to simply notice my breath. No forcing. Just watching the air go in and out.
If your mind wanders, that’s normal. I still get random thoughts about emails I forgot to send or what I’m having for dinner.
When that happens, just go back to noticing your breath. There’s no scorecard. You’re not failing if your attention drifts.
Use Sound to Help
Silence can feel awkward in the beginning. That’s where sounds can help. I tried soft background music, nature sounds, and simple meditation tracks.
There’s no need to overcomplicate it — a free app or a video on YouTube does the job.
For me, rain sounds work wonders. The steady rhythm makes it easier to focus. Some friends swear by white noise or soft instrumental music. Try a few and see what helps you stay present.
Don’t Worry About Doing It “Right”
I wasted too much time worrying that I wasn’t meditating the way I was supposed to. Was I sitting right? Was my mind too busy?
Was I breathing the wrong way? None of that mattered in the end. What helped was realizing there’s no single way to meditate.
Some days your mind will feel calmer. Other days it’ll be full of noise. Both are fine. The goal isn’t to control every thought — it’s to practice returning your attention when you notice it’s drifted. That’s it.
Set a Cue
One thing that helped me build the habit was linking meditation to something I was already doing. After I brushed my teeth in the morning, I’d sit for a few minutes.
It became part of my routine without needing extra reminders.
It can be anything — after your coffee, before you open your laptop, after lunch. The important part is picking something you already do daily. That makes it easier to remember.
Eyes Open or Closed?
There’s no rule about this. I started with my eyes closed because that felt natural. But I noticed I’d sometimes get sleepy.
On those days, I tried keeping my eyes open a little — not staring at anything, just a soft gaze at the floor.
Both options work. Go with what helps you stay awake and relaxed. If you switch back and forth, that’s fine too.
Walking Counts
Meditation doesn’t have to mean sitting still. I discovered walking meditation during a stressful week when I couldn’t seem to sit without fidgeting.
The idea is simple: walk slowly, paying attention to the movement of your feet, your breath, and what’s around you.
I’d go around my block, focusing on the feeling of my feet touching the ground. The fresh air helped. Plus, it felt less intimidating than sitting in total stillness.
Write It Down After
This isn’t required, but I found it useful. After I finished meditating, I’d jot down a few lines about how it felt. Nothing fancy — just a sentence or two.
It helped me notice patterns. On days I felt distracted, I could see what else was going on in my life.
Over time, these little notes showed me that even short, imperfect sessions made a difference. That kept me motivated.
Be Kind to Yourself
Meditation isn’t about perfection. There will be days when your mind feels like a busy street. Other days might feel peaceful.
That’s normal. I used to get annoyed when I couldn’t quiet my thoughts, but that only made it harder.
What works better is to approach it like practice. No judgment. Each time you sit and give it a try, you’re doing something good for yourself.
Try Different Times of Day
Morning worked best for me, but I learned that friends of mine prefer meditating at night. Others like a short session during a lunch break. There’s no universal best time. Try different parts of the day and see what fits your schedule and energy levels.
Some people find that meditating before bed helps them sleep better. Others like using it as a reset in the middle of a hectic afternoon. See what feels natural for you.
It’s Okay to Use Help
There’s no shame in using guided meditations. In fact, I’d say they’re one of the easiest ways to begin. I found a few free apps that offered short, simple sessions.
It felt less lonely, and having someone’s voice guide me helped me stay focused.
You can also find guided meditations that match your mood. Some focus on relaxing the body. Others help with stress or building focus. It’s worth exploring.
Make It Yours
Meditation looks different for everyone. For me, it became a mix of sitting quietly some days, walking others, and sometimes just taking a few slow breaths while standing at my window. What matters is that it helps you pause and reset.
Forget the idea that you need special skills or tools. You don’t. What you need is a few minutes and a little patience with yourself.
The Benefits Sneak Up on You
At first, I didn’t notice much. I wondered if I was wasting my time. But after a few weeks, I realized I was handling stress better.
I was a little more patient when things went wrong. I didn’t snap as quickly when something annoyed me.
These changes were small, but they added up. And they felt natural — I didn’t have to try to stay calm. I just felt that way more often. That’s what kept me coming back.
The Bottom Line –
If I’ve learned anything, it’s that meditation doesn’t have to look a certain way or meet anyone else’s standard.
Some days I sit quietly, some days I take a slow walk, and sometimes it’s just a few deep breaths before I answer another email.
The point is to give yourself that small break. You don’t need to be “good” at it. Five minutes counts. Even one minute counts.
If you’re thinking about trying it, go for it. You might be surprised at how much it helps in everyday life.