Self Care : Meditation Tips
For people whose brains won't shut up
4/5/20253 min read
I Tried to Meditate for 10 Minutes here's what happened
I decided to try meditating because, sitting still and doing absolutely nothing is supposed to fix... everything?
So there I was, cross-legged on the floor, breathing like a dramatic person about to faint, trying to find my “inner peace.”
Spoiler alert: instead of calm, I had an intense craving for snacks, and the sudden, need to reorganize my closet.
It turns out, silencing your thoughts is hard when your brain treats silence like an open mic night. But hey — that doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. Let’s talk about what actually happened to me, what I learned, and why you should still give meditation a shot (even if your brain is as loud and messy as mine).
My Experience
I downloaded a meditation app because I’m not brave enough to do a silent mindfulness. I picked a calming British voice that promised to guide me to serenity. I set the timer, dimmed the lights, and told my brain, “We are relaxing now.” My brain said, “Absolutely not.”
The first two minutes were fine. I was breathing. I was existing. Then came minute three, and suddenly I was thinking about that one time I tripped in front of my entire school assembly. Why? No idea. My inner demons saw the stillness and said, “Let’s party.” At one point, I think I saw my to-do list in the corner of the room, and seriously debated quitting the whole thing to go clean the fridge.
The Breakthrough (Sort Of)
Around minute eight, something weird happened. I didn’t magically ascend to a higher plane of existence, but... I didn’t hate it. I noticed I was still breathing. I noticed my thoughts, sure, but I also noticed they were just... thoughts. Like clouds passing by. Angry, chaotic, caffeine-fueled clouds — but still. I didn’t have to chase them. I could just sit and relax. It felt kind of amazing.
So, Was It a Disaster?
Kind of. But also... kind of not. I didn’t leave my first meditation session feeling like a zen goddess floating above my problems — but I did leave with more awareness of what’s going on upstairs. And that’s a start.
If You Want to Try (Even If You're Bad at It):
Start Small — Even 2-3 minutes counts. This isn’t a competition.
Help — Apps like Headspace, or Calm help you relax your thoughts.
Expect Chaos — Your brain won’t shut up at first. It’s normal. You’re not broken.
Be Nice to Yourself — Meditation isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up.
Laugh at Yourself — You fought demons, craved snacks, and maybe remembered every embarrassing moment of your life. That’s okay. You’re still doing great!!!
Final Thoughts:
Meditation might not be your instant fix, but it’s a tool.
It may feel weird; but sometimes its a wonderful tool. You don’t have to be calm to begin — you just have to begin. And if all else fails, at least you tried something healthy instead of scrolling on your phone for another 2 hours.
Mindfulness meditation is a powerful practice that encourages you to focus fully on the present moment, promoting a sense of calm and clarity.
By concentrating on your breath or a soothing word, you can quiet a racing mind and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Regular mindfulness meditation improves self-awareness, helping you to better understand your emotions and respond to challenges with greater patience and composure.
Meditation has also been shown to enhance your focus, memory, and overall mental health. Even just a few minutes each day can create a lasting positive impact on your emotional and physical well-being. (contains affliate links)
That’s growth in your self care journey!
