Why Bother Meditating in the First Place?

Let’s be honest—life’s loud. Your brain? Louder. Social media scrolls. Inbox pings. That one weird buzzing in your apartment you swear isn’t real but definitely is.

Meditation, for me at least, didn’t start out as some spiritual awakening under a Bodhi tree. It was more like a mental faceplant. I tried it once in 2019 after reading that LeBron meditates daily. Didn’t stick. Came back to it during the mess that was 2020. Different story.

That quiet? It grew on me.

Meditation for beginners isn’t about becoming some floaty, incense-burning monk (unless you want to be—no shade). It’s about reclaiming even just five minutes of peace. Inner stillness. Or heck, just a pause in the chaos. That alone is gold.

Beginner’s Meditation Guide: 7 Easy Steps (That Might Not Feel Easy)

Okay, here’s the honest-to-goodness step-by-step—but don’t worry if your brain rebels. Mine did too.

1. Find a Quiet-ish Spot

“Quiet” is subjective. I once meditated in my car parked in a Target lot. Ideally, pick somewhere comfy—corner of a room, balcony, even the bathroom (don’t judge). Sit on a chair, cushion, yoga mat, whatever doesn’t make your legs go numb in 30 seconds.

Good posture helps. Think relaxed soldier—not slouching, not rigid. Somewhere between that.

2. Set a Timer, but Not Like a Bomb

Start with 5–10 minutes. You’re not trying to win a monk-off. I use my phone, airplane mode ON. I once forgot that and got a Slack ping mid-session. Ruined. Everything.

You can increase the time later—but honestly? Even three minutes is better than none. It’s like flossing. You hate it, but afterward, you feel… proud? Clean? You know.

3. Close Your Eyes. Or Don’t. Up to You.

Most guides say close them. But sometimes I keep them half-lidded. Not because I’m mysterious—just because it helps me stay awake.

Focus on breathing. Not “deep” breathing necessarily. Just real breathing. In, out. Feel the air fill your ribs, your chest—not just your lungs, but your whole being. (Yeah, I went there.)

If you’re zoning out already, good. That’s kind of the point.

4. Do a Body Scan. Slowly.

Start at your toes. Wiggle ‘em? Great. Notice tension. Feel your ankles, your knees. Is your shoulder tight from carrying a laptop bag all day?

(That bag’s heavy—let it go, metaphorically or literally.)

This is mindfulness, by the way. Sneaky, right?

5. Thoughts Will Come. Let Them. Then Let Go.

Your mind will wander. It will yell at you: “Did you reply to Brenda’s email?!” or “What if no one ever loves you?”

Say “thank you” to the thought. Genuinely. Then return to the breath.

They’re clouds. Passing clouds. Or sometimes freight trains. But you? You’re on the platform, just watching them go by.

6. Be Ridiculously Nice to Yourself

You’re doing something hard. Sitting still isn’t easy. Just ask a toddler.

So if your brain says, “You’re bad at this,” say, “That’s okay.” You’re not failing. You’re practicing. Always practicing.

(PSA: Meditation doesn’t fix you. You’re not broken.)

7. End Gently—Don’t Jerk Back Into the World

When the timer chimes—breathe. Don’t leap into Slack or TikTok. Notice how your body feels. Maybe you’re relaxed. Maybe you’re not. That’s fine.

I like to stretch a little afterward—feels like opening up a crumpled piece of paper. That’s been your nervous system, btw.

Real Talk: How to Build a Meditation Habit Without Hating It

• Same time, same chair – I meditate at 7:30 AM, coffee in hand. It helps.
• Use an app if you’re flailing – Insight Timer is free. Calm is… expensive but sleek.
• Lower the bar – Seriously. One minute counts.
• Don’t chase “Zen” – Some days are still messy. I once cried during a 10-minute sit. No idea why.
• Track it. Or don’t. – I use a sticker chart like I’m 10. Whatever works.

Actual, Real-Life Benefits (From Science & Me)

You’ll see blog posts list things like:

• Reduced stress
• Better focus
• Improved sleep
• More self-awareness
• Emotional regulation

And those are real. But also…

Sometimes it’s just the satisfaction of not yelling at someone in traffic. Or falling asleep without spiraling. Or realizing, mid-argument, “I can pause.”

It’s subtle. But so, so good.

Weird But Common Beginner Questions (I Asked All of These)

Q: My mind won’t shut up. Is that normal?
Absolutely. It’s like a puppy. You’re just training it to sit. Gently. Over and over.

Q: Do I have to sit cross-legged?
Nope. Unless you like pins and needles.

Q: Can I meditate lying down?
Yes—but you’ll probably fall asleep. Which isn’t bad. Just different.

Q: Is this even working?
If you’re wondering that—you’re in it. That awareness? That’s the work.

In Conclusion (Or Not Quite)

If you’ve made it this far—thank you. I hope this guide helped, even if just a bit. Or gave you a reason to pause. Reflect. Breathe.

Meditation isn’t magic. But it’s something. It’s… honest.

Start today. Or tomorrow. Or next Thursday. But start. And when you do, come back here and let me know—what was it like?

Drop your first-session story in the comments. The weirder, the better.