How 30 Days of Meditation Helped My Writing & Creativity
It was difficult at first, but something to stick with
I will doubt nothing now.
It’s not that I had any doubts about meditation, it was just something that I never saw being part of my lifestyle. I didn’t think that meditation would fit into my lifestyle. I’d rather be in the gym or doing more intense exercise.
It only took one session of yoga to take me down a notch.
As strong and fit as I thought I was, yoga humbled me. I also found out how beneficial yoga was for strength, flexibility decreasing anxiety, and finding a better sense of calm.
Could meditation have a similar effect?
I’ve been seeing more and more people refer to it and thought I would throw my hat in the ring doing it every day for a month. Here’s what I found, and how it can help the creative process.
Meditation is Not Overwhelming if You Start Small
I have never had the greatest attention span. I’m kind of like a hummingbird after a 6-pack of Red Bull. The thought of having to be inactive and sit motionless for an extended period seemed intimidating to me.
I took a lesson from my past role as a personal trainer. I always instructed new clients to start small and build from there — and I needed to remind myself of that. Similar to being new to fitness, if you take on too much all at once you’re not only going to feel overwhelmed but frustrated. This causes people to burn out quickly.
I decided on 5 minutes at first and used an app that not only had excellent reviews but — after checking my last credit card statement — was also free. It had guided meditation which I thought would be helpful as I had no idea what I was doing.
Focusing on the Breath
I’ve always been aware of the benefits of breathing through sports and fitness and how it’s incredibly important for your health. I enjoyed hearing instruction on how to focus on your breathing.
My mind tends to be all over the place, so learning to be aware of your breathing was very helpful. It was also helpful to be reminded to return the focus to the sensation of…
