How meditation changed my life.

I thought I'd share a bit about my meditation journey and the big impact it's had on my life. I hope this will inspire you or at least give you hope.♥

Before I added meditation to my routine, my brain was very chaotic. My thoughts would run constantly and it was hard to relax. Every now and then, I would lose any ability to keep my emotions in check. I would get very stressed, to a point where my emotions would overwhelm me, and my body would be in distress. Everything I hadn’t dealt with would come boiling up as I was being pushed over the edge. Even the things I thought I was fine with, but just hadn't yet processed and actually released.

In these moments, I found myself rushing to sit outside in peace and quiet, just to sit and close my eyes and finally listen to what my body was telling me. I would cry, I would release what I needed to.

It was messy.

I didn’t know what I was doing, except that I knew it helped. I always felt better after those moments of stillness and breathing.

I remember thinking how good I felt after and that I needed to find a way to deal with the emotions before they got overwhelming. I needed to feel that peace and calm regularly...not just when I couldn't handle things anymore. I couldn't keep going like that.

It took a while before I actually did something about it. It takes us humans some time before we commit to changing a habit. That's okay.

Eventually, I decided to set a goal to meditate regularly as a way to prevent these blow ups, instead of using it as a treatment when I was already too overwhelmed. It took a good long while before it became part of my routine.

It was hard to sit still.

It was so against what I’d been taught! Keep moving! Keep pushing! And lemme tell ya - it was uncomfortable. Sitting and watching all the things I had pushed down for so long. All the while my body just wanted to be heard and the emotions finally released.

I started with 2 minutes. I focused on breathing. I focused on how the breathing felt in my body. On spaces where there was tension or tightness in the muscles. This was often where the emotions were waiting to be released.

I did guided meditations. This helped me gain a wider understanding of meditation types and what works for me. Over time, it became easier. Eventually, it was something I would miss if I skipped it. It was a whole other kinda thing that I'd been missing out on for so long.

Comparing me at the beginning of this story, to how I felt here at this point - it's like 2 different people! My mind had shifted. I was finally aware of what was happening in my mind and body and I could address things as they came up. I felt way more connected to myself.

I love to learn

So I read books on meditation and the power of the mind. Then, I found a course and became a Meditation Teacher. At first for my own interest, and then I started teaching it! I wanted to share this amazing and life-changing skill with others. I didn't want anyone else to feel as broken and overwhelmed as I did, with no hope and no support.

I teach others the value of the stillness and the amazing comfort that comes with serenity of mind. Past (overwhelmed) Andreana would never have thought this possible! But I did the work, and it paid off. I am so connected and aware of myself and my emotions now, thanks to the time I spend with myself in stillness. I am so grateful for this knowledge and the discipline to incorporate meditation into my daily life.

Now, if I don't meditate (sit with myself and breathe) regularly, it gets harder to manage stress, my reactions to triggers, and I just don't feel as good. Meditation is for prevention. So I make sure it's a priority!

Honestly, I would really have benefited from the help of a Coach. Someone where I'm at now - aware, knowledgeable, and compassionate - to help guide me through. It would have made it a lot easier. But everything happens for a reason. I know my experience made me stronger and contributed to who I am today - a very skilled Coach who has been through it. All the better to help my clients on their journeys.

Can you meditate?

Yes. Everyone can. You may just need help finding the right kind of meditation for you. There are so many ways!

My first form of meditation was focusing on my breathing while I ran. I practiced that for years before ever considering meditation. It certainly helped when it came to focusing on my breathing in stillness.

So, what are you waiting for? Ready to give meditation a try?

Here's a simple guided meditation for you.

Thanks for reading. :)

Much love,

Andreana♥