what if i knew how to fix all of your problems?

Do you ever wish you could stop stressing about the future or worrying about what’s going to happen tomorrow, next week or next year? Are you insecure? Not loving life too much right now? Wishing you felt happier and more fulfilled?

What if I told you I knew how to fix that, with one solution?

MEDITATION

The best kept secret and the most underrated tool for your brain. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the solution to all (ok maybe most) of your problems. When you’re in a world where you’re constantly going, constantly striving, stressing, growing, there is nothing that tells you to stop. Nothing telling you to calm down, enjoy your life and be present in the now, that’s where meditation comes in.

Now meditating isn’t just sitting cross legged on the floor and saying ‘ohm’ (unless that’s how you want to do it), and it’s also not as easy as you would think. It’s a journey, it doesn’t happen overnight and it’s a bit of a slow process learning how to do it. But I cannot tell you enough that it is so worth it. Now you’re probably wondering what all the fuss is about and if this is just bullshit, so let me tell you about my own experience with meditation:

My mind has always been loud, thoughts racing a million miles an hour, yelling over each other, whispering in my ear, listing all the things to worry about: “too fat”, “too poor”, “not smart enough”, “this is pointless”, “you’ll be happy when you’re married or have a house or have kids”, “you’ll be happy when you travel”, “you’ll be happy next year”. My mind never allowed me to actually enjoy the life that I have now, never allowed me to be present and enjoy the ride. Meditation changed that. Everything became so much clearer, so much more calm and vibrant and exciting. I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, a weight I didn’t even know was there!

Now much the same as anyone, I was skeptical. I had never considered myself a spiritual person, but that’s because I didn’t know my true potential. I was clouded by my thoughts. Meditation has helped me not only be present but also feel so much more confident and comfortable in myself. The doubts and worries quietened, meditation taught me how to overcome them, taught me that I am not my thoughts nor am I defined by them. I am my own person and my thoughts and doubts and insecurities are like an annoying song stuck in my head that I don’t need to listen to, they’re not who I am, and I don’t have to give them power over me. Meditation helped me to understand that I actually am worth it and that I actually am allowed to be happy.

To summarise, meditation means: - Less insecurities - Less self-doubt - Less criticizing - Less stress - Less worrying about the future - More self-respect and appreciation - More clear and open mindedness - More vibrant and fulfilled life - More happy and contented - More appreciation for the wonderful world and people around you

Now that’s all well and good, but getting started is the hard part. I’m still learning myself, and not gonna lie, it might take a while. As a beginner, I found guided meditation to be really helpful and insightful. There’s an app called ‘Headspace’ which is fantastic, it features a series of 10-15-minute guided meditation sessions full of great analogies that help you to understand your mind further. Such as likening your thoughts to rain clouds above your head, yes they’re there but the clear blue sky is still there, it’s just hiding. I found this app super helpful when I was starting and do still sometimes use it. Also, check out a Youtuber and meditation teacher by the name of Rochelle Fox, she is the one that opened my eyes to this amazing skill! She is fantastically helpful and even runs her own company (Mindspo) that teaches meditation online to people all around the world! Other helpful people to check out are: Cartia Mallan, Meghan Hughes & Chris Soll (who also runs Mindspo alongside Rochelle).

I hope you guys try this life hack out for yourselves! Everyone deserves to be content in themselves, how are you supposed to enjoy your life if you’re letting your mind control you?

Much love, Courtney xx

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