Meditation, the Habit That Changes Everything
If you’re anything like me a couple of years ago, meditation was that thing you flirted with but never committed to. You tried it a couple of times - maybe even sat cross-legged and mutteredafew “ahhhms,” and then, somewhere between your breath and your brain planning dinner, you decided it just wasn’t for you.
I get it. Sitting with your own thoughts can feel like trying to calm an untrained puppy - especially if you’re an avoidant person, like myself. The idea of “quieting the mind” felt laughably impossible. But here’s the shift: meditation isn’t about turning your thoughts off. It’s about watching them roll by, learning from them, and creating just enough space between what you feel and how you react. And that tiny, beautiful space? That’s where the magic happens, presence.
My first taste of meditation came through yoga about six years ago. At first, it was just part of the flow, something I felt I “had” to do at the end of class. But about 4 years after that, when I started showing up for it every day, something happened inside me. It stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like a key, unlocking focus, grounding me in the moment, and even helping me dream up the life I actually wanted.
Why Meditation Actually Matters (Yes, Even to the Skeptics)
Meditation isn’t just a "woo woo wellness trend", it’s ancient wisdom backed up by modern neuroscience. We now know it can literally rewire your brain, chill out your nervous system, and sharpen your ability to be present in your own life.
1. It Melts Stress & Tames Cortisol
Your body’s stress hormone (cortisol), runs the show when you’re anxious, restless, or running on adrenaline. Meditation decreases this which means better sleep, calmer digestion, and a nervous system that isn’t constantly in fight-or-flight.
Oprah swears by it, not just for herself but for her whole team, creating workplaces that hum with focus and ease.
2. It Sharpens Focus & Wakes Up the Brain
Meditation can physically change your brain’s make-up. Studies from Harvard show it thickens the prefrontal cortex - the part of your brain responsible for decision-making, emotional balance, and clarity.
Steve Jobs practiced Zen meditation to tap into deep, sustained focus. The kind that birthed some of the most creative tech ideas in history.
3. It Deepens Self-Awareness
Think of meditation as a mirror for your inner world. Over time, you start catching your reactions before they run the show, giving you a chance to respond from a place of awareness rather than impulse.
Russell Brand credits mindfulness with helping him break free from addiction and see himself more clearly than ever.
4. It Restores Sleep & Softens Anxiety
By slowing the mind’s spin cycle, meditation helps you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
LeBron James uses it to rest, reset, and keep his mind game strong — on and off the court.
5. It Helps You Manifest the Life You Want
When you combine meditation with visualization, you’re training your brain to recognize and move toward the reality you want. It's wild the things you can bring into your life when your mind is the most still.
Jim Carrey famously meditated on success, wrote himself a $10 million check, and years later cashed in on the exact amount for a film deal.
The Real Truth: There’s No “Right” Way to Meditate
Forget the image of sitting in silence for an hour with a perfectly still mind. That’s not the goal, and it’s definitely not the "only way". You can meditate while you breathe, while you walk, while you journal. Some days I sink into a 10-minute grounding practice before coffee; other days, I visualize my goals or breathe through the chaos of my afternoon.
The only rule? Show up for it. Fifteen minutes - five minutes - even on minute. Just do the damn thing.
How to Make It Stick
Habit stack: tie meditation to something you already do daily. Morning coffee, post-shower, before bed (ex: As soon as I get into bed I give myself the space to meditate.
Set the tone: Light a candle, throw on a playlist (my favorites) or sit somewhere that feels sacred to you.
Start small, two minutes a day is enough to begin.
Use tools, guided meditations, breath work videos, or mindfulness apps can help you stay on track.
The Takeaway
Meditation is less about “getting it right” and more about getting present. It’s the practice of returning to yourself, again and again, until the gap between who you are and who you want to be starts to dissolve. There are going to be times (a lot of them when you're first starting) - that it feels easier to scroll through your phone, turn on the tv, or even just lay down. But take the time, give yourself the minute to make everything better.
Your mind will still wander. Your thoughts will still pop in. That’s not failure, that’s the practice. And somewhere in that space between breath and thought, you might just find yourself.