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How I Gamed Myself into Being More Present
A simple technique to reframe thoughts for a more peaceful mind and a trick to keep at it every day
It’s hard to avoid talk of how important mindfulness meditation is for a healthy mind. And for good reason too. But finding the motivation to consistently take time out to meditate can be hard, especially when you don’t seem to be getting “better” at it.
I used to think I was just one of those people that “couldn't meditate”. And not for the lack of trying. I tried my best to set aside time and just focus on my breath with a clear mind. But before I knew it, I’d be lost in thought, thinking about that email I have yet to send, that sandwich for lunch or how much longer I was going to have to sit there...
And I’m not alone! So many people I have spoken to feel that they also “can’t meditate” because they have too many thoughts to achieve a silent mind. I say “can’t meditate” in speech marks because I absolutely think everyone can, but the preconceived notions of what meditation should feel like prevent people from sticking with it.
After I started using Headspace and researched a little more into meditation, I realised that the whole point isn’t to stop yourself from being distracted, but rather to simply notice the distraction. In time, with targeted techniques, you learn to sit with your…
