Meditation Marathon: Lessons Learned in the First 75 of 365 Days

As I sit down to share my experiences from the first 75 days of my 365 day meditation journey, there’s a sense of calm and excitement.

First off, I can’t believe I have actually been meditating for more than 75 days! It’s been a fascinating ride so far, filled with moments of serenity, introspection, and quite a few surprises along the way. Setting a goal for myself has always been a challenge but from past experience with my meditation practice (many years ago), I was able to see first hand, all of the benefits and cool things that started to happen from it and I want those feelings again. I want those cool things to happen in my life experience.

So, yes, it may take 2 weeks, 3 weeks or a month of doing something over and over again in order for it to become a habit, but I want more. So I set the goal for myself each day to do minimum 10 but maximum 15 minutes of meditation for 365 days in order to see just what other benefits may lie in store for me in the future.

Finding Peace in the Absolute Craziness

When I started this journey, my primary goal was to find some peace in my everyday life. As a single parent, the daily hustle can sometimes be overwhelming and honestly, pretty frustrating at times. I can’t say I was under chronic stress but I was getting pretty stressed almost every day.

However, since I’ve began meditating, I’ve noticed a significant shift in how I handle stress and rising temper – at least, what used to be rising temper. Things that used to make me tense now seem manageable. I find myself taking a deep breath and addressing situations with a level head, rather than reacting impulsively. Mind you, it’s not always like that. Though I am able to manage the anger I have whenever it might comes up (like when someone honks at me and I can’t go anywhere), I am able to instantly realize I am angry and switch to a better feeling.

The Magic of Letting Go

One of the most remarkable changes has been in my relationship with my kids. I’ve become less controlling, more understanding, and surprisingly, less prone to anger. It’s as if meditation has opened a door to a more patient and compassionate version of myself. Also, allowing me to connect with my children on a deeper level. IT’s also helped me figure out easy steps to creating more joy in my life and I have been doing very well at it.

With that said, I do wish to work on my patience. I still find myself with little patience when it comes to my children doing things they shouldn’t, but as mentioned above, when I catch myself feeling this, I am usually able to quickly pivot those emotions to happier and healthier ones.

Sensations and Experiences

The physical sensations during meditation have been nothing short of intriguing. There are moments when it feels like energy is moving across my face. The sensation is akin to a zipper gently unfastening along my forehead. Lately, this has evolved into a feeling of water droplets trickling down my face, accompanied by a buzzing around my temples. It’s a curious, yet incredibly cool sensation that seems to deepen my connection to the practice.

I seem to feel as though this is a connection to something but what exactly, it’s not clear. I’ve found audio on others that speak of this, however, Abraham says it is just energy releasing. I feel it’s something more than that, so I am excited to continue this practice to see what else will happy with this energy movement.

Exploring Mindfulness Practices

I’ve been experimenting with different types of meditation to enrich my mindfulness practices. Each of the different meditation practices offers a unique way to approach meditation, whether it’s focusing on breath, mindful meditation, a visual image, or even a guided meditation.

The different forms have helped me understand that meditation is not a one-size-fits-all exercise but a diverse array of practices that cater to various needs. With this, I have also realized that the meditation I love most is either gentle music in the background or complete silence so I have less distractions.

The Impact on Physical and Emotional Health

Meditation has not only been beneficial for my mental focus but also for my physical health. I’ve noticed a marked improvement in my emotional regulation. Where I once would react quickly to negative emotions, I now find myself pausing, reflecting, and responding more thoughtfully.

Incorporating Meditation into Daily Life

Integrating a regular meditation practice into my daily life has been a game-changer. I’ve started setting a 15-minute time limit for each session, which makes this practice manageable amidst a busy schedule. However, not all of these sessions have provided me with 15 minutes of quietness; at times, I am lucky if I get a minute out of 15, thought free. Regardless, it’s always nice to be able to sit still and do nothing. It’s remarkable how just a few minutes of mindfulness can transform my entire day.

The Role of Guided and Mindfulness Meditation Practices

I’ve particularly enjoyed non-guided meditation yet, they type of meditation I love is mindfulness meditation practices. Guided sessions provide a structure that helps when my to-do list seems overwhelming but I can also get distracted with words, whereas, mindfulness practices ground me in the reality of the present, enhancing my awareness of bodily sensations.

Experiencing the Health Benefits

The health benefits of meditation have been both mental and physical. There’s a sense of overall wellbeing that permeates my days now. I find myself experiencing more positive emotions and fewer bouts of stress or anxiety. And talking  about stress, work has been a big stress but for the past three weeks, work hasn’t been a stressor for me at all. In fact, I care less about the stuff happening at work. Not sure what is happening there!

Embracing Positive Effects of Meditation

The positive effects of this simple practice are evident in my daily life. I approach challenges with a calmer demeanor, and my interactions with family and friends have become more meaningful and less reactive. I remove myself from situations and people that don’t make me happy.

The Journey Continues

As I continue on this path, I am eager to delve deeper into the world of meditation. The journey so far has been enlightening, helping me not only in emotional regulation but also in cultivating a sense of inner peace and joy.

The practice of meditation, in its various forms, has become an essential part of my life, and I look forward to discovering more about its transformative power. Here’s to more moments of clarity, tranquility, and happiness on this meditative voyage! 🌟🧘‍♀️💖

Where will this path of meditation take me? How will it transform my mind, my relationships, and my approach to life? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – I am wholly committed to this adventure of self-discovery and inner peace.

In closing, if you’re considering embarking on your own meditation journey, I say, go for it! The changes can be subtle at first, but the cumulative effect over time is truly remarkable. Here’s to finding our zen, one breath at a time. 🧘‍♂️✨