Creating a Meditation Habit - A 30 Day Challenge

Now the shit will hit the fan. I am putting something out into the universe which I hope will break the cycle of starting and stopping, or even worse, planning but never beginning. Will I be able to follow through? If not how will I feel about that? I struggle with ADD (now referred to as ADHD). That means I have a a racing mind that is often great at starting and rocking the early stages, but also loses interest quickly and drops the ball. This plus procrastination make creating and keeping a new habit a huge challenge for me.

One technique I used in the past that worked well for a long time was a 30 day, very public writing challenge. I used it to get myself to the computer each morning and type away. Over time that became something I did without thinking about it. My creativity and production as a writer soared. A few things appeared that eventually dulled that habit after a couple years, but I am determined to create a new writing habit that fits my life as it is now. That will probably next on my list.

First comes daily meditation. Inspiration to launch a 30-day meditation challenge came as I watched the Walk for Peace US that just finished in February. Something deep inside shifted as I followed their challenging journey each day, saw how they faced the many challenges that arose, and listened to the few words they offered. I used to regularly schedule a quiet time every day for some yoga stretching and to listen to a guided meditation. Those two combined quieted my soul, helped me let go of distractions, and increased my ability to focus. Following the monks walk started a small flame of desire to re-embrace my own practice.

At the same time, I decided to listen to the audio version of Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty again. I cannot speak for the man, and want to recognize there have been questions raised about some of his claims, but I am simply focusing on what this book offers - the things I need to hear in this moment simply and clearly. The wisdom shared hits home.. It has proven to be the perfect one-two punch I need to fan that small flame and help it grow. I suspect there will be other universe sent gifts to continue this process, but my heart says it is time to start today.

I have learned two thing about creating new, successful habits in the last few years that have proven true for me. First. timing is important. When during your day is the best fit for this habit? It shouldn't be a time that fights against the flow of your day, but tuck into it neatly. The second is the easiest way to succeed with a new habit is to place it in the middle of a set routine you already have. For example - get up, go to the bathroom, have a cup of coffee could be changed to get up, go to the bathroom, meditate, have a cup of coffee. That's what worked with my writing in the past. The snag came when my morning routine changed.

For this 30 day meditation challenge, I intend to keep things very flexible. I am going to experiment with different times of the day to try to discover where the best fit is for me. I am also going to be very open about what it means to meditate. I might sit in silence, I might listen to a recording, or I might try walking meditation. And I intend to alternate between the three focuses of meditation Shetty mentions to mix things up. They are -

• 
  Breath Work: Used to energize the body, relieve stress, or aid in relaxation.
• Visualization: Used to prepare for scenarios that might cause anxiety or fear by picturing yourself handling them with calm and confidence.
• Mantra: Used to connect to a deeper sense of self, purpose, or the universe

I will be starting today. 30 days means my final day will be Wednesday, March 25th.  Updates will be posted once a week and in between I might share stories. I am not sure yet on the second.  If I do stories they might be daily or randomly.  It will be based on if I have something to say, and if I need to offer them to keep me on track.

This post wasn't hard to write It is always exciting to start something new. But it is definitely hard to share. It is a very public declaration. Follow through won't be easy for me, and my racing mind loves to go after anything new and shiny.  But whether I am successful or not, I chose to start and doing it publicly helps motivate me.  If this doesn't work, then I will start again trying another tack. It may take several attempts and redirections before I learn what works best for me.  

I look forward to sharing whatever this journey holds. If anyone wants to join me with their own challenge, let me know so I can be sure and follow and support your progress.