If this has ever happened to you, read on ….
I slipped up on my morning ritual over the last few days. It had been a super busy week with 3 workshops to prepare for and facilitate, and 2 proposals to write. I am “on the road” in Jamaica, and not at my HQ in Toronto. I am out of my normal work rhythm. Meditation and yoga, even for this mindfulness meditation teacher and dedicated yoga practitioner, took a back seat. There just didn’t seem to be enough time for my usual routine and being ready for my client commitments. However, I knew in my head that, as tired as I was, if I woke up 15 minutes earlier to meditate, my day would go so much better. But the body was weak. And the mind chatter about “not enough time” was loud. Each morning, I was up out of bed, and off to my workshops, rueing the fact that I hadn’t done my meditation practice.
Workshops completed; I was tempted this morning to not meditate: “Tomorrow ….” I told myself. But I realise that every day that I put it off makes restarting more difficult. I went to my mat, sat, closed my eyes, became still, and meditated. I opened my eyes to a different world – peace, calm and joy. “I will never miss another day of meditation” I promised myself … again. For it has happened before that I have slipped up. But I am getting better, as I observe that I am slipping up less.
Here are 3 things that work for me, that might help you to stick to your daily meditation practice – and indeed to any habit that you know is good for you, but that you sometimes let slip:
- Avoid beating yourself up and feeling guilty – that’s a waste of energy. Instead acknowledge the fact: – “I didn’t do it today” and commit to doing it tomorrow. Remember: tomorrow is a new day.
- Prepare from the night before. Before I went to bed last night, I laid out my yoga mat. And years ago, when I used to run marathons, I would put my running gear at the foot of my bed, ready to go the moment I awakened. This also puts you in the mental frame of setting the intention, and literally sleeping on it, which means you are less likely to waver in the morning.
- Create a “Plan B” – a shorter, simpler, more concise version of your practice. For me, it’s a 21-minute yoga and meditation sequence, rather than my usual 1 hour. And I even have a Plan C – a 5-minute practice. Give yourself options.
Our journey of life is not linear – there are hills, valleys, twists, and turns. Identifying new habits and practicing them consistently does take practice. We do this throughout our lives, as we learn more about ourselves and what we need to do to live most joyful lives. Think way back to your childhood and how long it took for brushing your teeth to become a habit that you very rarely skip. Commit to meditation becoming like brushing your teeth. And just keep practicing.
