I finally finished it.

365 consecutive days of meditation.

Though I wasn’t expecting much more than a confetti-filled plaque, a year of mindfulness has drastically impacted my life.

But first, some background on how I came to practice everyday mindfulness.

I became critically ill towards the end of 2017. As in, ill, sick. My digestive system shut down, and I spent months in and out of hospitals trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Let’s just say I couldn’t keep food down. In both cases. Hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars later, every doctor appointment and lab test yielded no results, and there was no answer in sight.

I swore to do something different to save my life since I was desperate and dehydrated.

I used to be the kind of person who needed a prescription for everything.

Headache? Advil.
Do you get stomach pains? Chew some Tums and drink some Pepto-Bismol.
Cough? It’s time to go acquire the Z-Pak.

I used to believe that Western medicine could cure everything. It let me down in my hour of need.

As part of my pledge, I sought advice from physicians who specialized in eastern medicine, and one of their recommendations (along with certain medicines) was to concentrate on my mental health, beginning with regular meditation.

I was completely taken aback. How was everyday meditation going to help my digestion?

But I was at a loss for words. I just had to give it a go.

If it was going to save my life, I made it a point to meditate every day for a year.

I’m quite pleased I did.

Along with meditation, I made significant changes to my food and lifestyle. My stomach problems have greatly improved, and I am pleased to report that I can now digest meals regularly (even better than before).

Healing involves mental, bodily, and spiritual rehabilitation. Daily meditation exercises mental health in the same way that going to the gym does for physical health.

And with that, here are my takeaways from a year of Headspace:

Change occurs gradually and cumulatively.

My meditation practice was inconsistent prior to beginning to meditate every day. I’d do an hour-long session and then skip the following one for a week. It wasn’t until I began meditating on a regular basis that I began to see the difference.

It’s nearly unrealistic to expect to have ripped abs just working out once a week. Every day is a chance to practice and reinforce ideas learned the day before.

After two months of consistent practice, I began to notice a difference in my thinking. In stressful situations, I was able to “step back” and reflect in the present. In my daily life, I began to pause and enjoy incidental moments that I might have otherwise overlooked.

Do: Begin each day with a brief meditation practice.

One minute. No more. First, strive to make it a daily habit before attempting longer sessions.

More concentration results in greater benefits.

I am an avid podcast listener. I listen to podcasts on my commute, while working out, cleaning my flat, and even while showering!

During my daily journey to work, I treated Headspace like a podcast. I rarely had a session when I could devote 100% of my attention from start to end. My attention was divided between checking the metro station and moving around to accommodate additional passengers.

After reading evaluations, I decided to set up a meditation place in my room adjacent to my bed. I would roll out of bed and onto my yoga block and plush mat, where I would sit for 10 minutes. After a week, I was not only retaining more of the lectures, but it was also lot easier for me to sit through each session without fidgeting. In my meditation spot, my body understood what to do.

I grew more patient in all facets of my life as I improved my ability to sit still for longer amounts of time. I was more patient and nice to everyone in my life.

Make a special meditation space for yourself. Set up a comfy couch or yoga block in a corner of your room. Please do not move it! This will be your regular meditation location.

Pro tip: If you’re in a shared room, consider utilizing the restroom for a brief meditation session. In your newfound secure place, put down the toilet seat and play the app.

The importance of mental wellness cannot be overstated.

The night is hectic and unexpected. At work, I frequently stay late to complete assignments, and if I go out with friends or coworkers, it’s easy to lose track of time. Anything I planned for the evening was frequently moved to the next day.

I also had anxiousness throughout the day if I did not meditate in the morning. I’d have to make time in the evening to get it done before midnight. By not being able to enjoy the day and worrying in the back of my mind, I decided that making it a non-negotiable issue in the morning was the best option.

I prioritized myself by establishing non-negotiables. I wasn’t strengthening my mental health by attempting to multitask and allowing people to take over my schedule, just as I wasn’t building my physical health by focusing on myself first.

Do: Meditate first thing in the morning. Head to your lovely haven that you’ve made for yourself and begin the day with a meditation session.

Meditation is self-compassionate and unique to each individual.

Prior to beginning my daily practice, I attempted every pro-tip and life hack I could think of to accommodate it into my lifestyle. After each failed attempt, I was terribly disheartened and avoided meditating for several days.

I was reading self-help books about everyone else’s meditation routines (some for an hour or outside in the sun) and trying much too hard to emulate them. It wasn’t until I developed my own routine that I was able to start reinforcing my habit.

It got simpler to return and continue by forgiving myself for any missing days and adapting.

I meditate for 1-2 minutes every day.
On sometimes, I meditate in bed.
Some days, I stretch while meditating.

And it’s all OK.

Do: Be adaptable in your meditation practice. Adopt meditation at your own speed. Is it a program? Is it in a physical setting? Consider what inspires you and where you learn the most.

Which is best for me?

Headspace was the only app that stayed with me.

The calming voice of Andy Petticombe (founder) (not a mix of various voices like other apps)
Every second, beginner packets are instructed (helps my monkey brain)
Beautiful user interface that is yet really simple to utilize
Packs can be downloaded ahead of time and used for offline meditation.

I began with the free trial starter bundle and then purchased for a reduced year upfront. The added sunk cost provided an excellent inducement to utilize the app on a daily basis.

Google “Headspace Coupon” to get available codes. Coupons may be used on their website at headspace.com/code.

Pro Series Beginner Series (longer sessions little by little)
Relationships
Creativity

Despite late-night work (4 a.m. Ubers, anyone?) and international trips, I was able to meditate every day for a year. My health was at stake, even though it was exceedingly tough at times.

Who knew that a one-year prescription for regular meditation would have such a tremendous impact on my life?

You, too, can achieve it with patience, attention, and self-compassion.

Thank you for your time and support!

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Free for you and my love’s labor.