Finding a Sustainable Meditation Practice That Truly Works

During my 200-hour yoga teacher training, we meditated for nearly an hour every day — and to be honest, it was miserable for me.
I knew stillness would be my biggest challenge, and I wasn’t wrong.

Despite being a yoga teacher, sitting quietly has never come naturally. My body fidgets, my mind races, and silence sometimes feels louder than noise. And perhaps that is the point — meditation isn’t something you master; it’s something you meet again and again.

One morning, after a long session by the river, our teacher asked, “What did you think of today’s meditation?” The others shared praise and peaceful reflections. I felt something completely different — soreness, distraction, and a private countdown until the moment we could stand up again.

When I admitted it out loud, my teacher smiled gently and said, “You’re on the right track.”

I didn’t understand it then, but those words stayed with me. Later, when I researched why meditation can bring frustration or even anger, I realized something important: meditation isn’t about achieving perfect stillness. It’s about noticing what arises — even the discomfort — and keeping company with it rather than running away.

A Simpler Way Forward

With that understanding, I began to change my approach.
I tried committing to 20 minutes a day, but life quickly dissolved that plan.
Twenty minutes became fifteen, then ten, and eventually nothing at all.

I finally admitted what I needed: a routine I could genuinely maintain.

My new rhythm became five minutes, three times a week — Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Is it ideal? Maybe not.
Is it sustainable? Absolutely.

And sustainability is what creates real change. Five minutes is achievable on even the busiest mornings, and those five minutes ground me in a way that lingers throughout the day.

The Tools That Support My Practice

Meditation helps me reconnect with my breath and body before the day begins, and I genuinely enjoy adding small elements that make the practice feel intentional.

One of my favorite additions has been the Zen Deep Meditation Mini Kit.
It includes a calming candle, natural incense, and a hand-selected crystal — simple elements that help me settle into a quieter space. Lighting a candle or holding a crystal doesn’t add “energy”; it adds focus, ritual, and a sense of presence.

I use the Insight Timer app for soft background sounds and gentle chimes.
Some days I sit upright; other days I lie down in a restorative posture. There are no rigid rules. The practice is simply the act of breathing and coming back to myself, again and again. When my mind wanders, I guide it back with patience rather than judgment.

Understanding What Arises

Through my research — and through exploring Internal Family Systems (IFS) work — I learned that frustration, restlessness, or resurfacing memories are not signs of failure. They’re signs of release.

When the mind quiets, the emotions we’ve been holding down naturally rise to the surface. Instead of resisting them, I’m learning to listen with curiosity and compassion.

Sometimes the simple act of acknowledging a feeling is enough to soften its grip.

Building a Practice That Grows With You

Do I hope to meditate daily someday? Yes.
Do I believe I’ll get there? Also yes.

But for now, I’m focusing on a practice that I can return to consistently — a practice that supports me rather than overwhelms me.

If you’ve ever struggled with meditation or felt discouraged by inconsistency, I hope this serves as a gentle reminder: go slowly. Be kind to yourself. Meditation is not a performance; it’s a relationship — one that deepens with sincerity, not perfection.

Whether you sit for three minutes or thirty, what matters is the intention behind the effort.
And if a small ritual makes it easier to show up — lighting a candle, holding a stone, preparing a quiet space — let it support you.

For me, the Zen Deep Meditation Mini Kit has made my brief practice feel more meaningful. It marks the moment, turns it into something I look forward to, and helps me return to stillness in a way that feels natural.

In the end, it’s the small, consistent steps that shape who we become — steps that gently guide us toward clarity, stability, and inner peace.