Part 1:5 What Meditation Did to My Life and Why I Became a Meditation Coach
I just wrapped up a mini-project that made me realize how many ways meditation benefited my life and inspired me to become a meditation coach. Over the next few blogs, I'm sharing them all! This is part one of the five reasons I started meditating and how it changed my life!
Why I Started Meditating
I started meditating because I was unhappy at work and dissatisfied with my life. Even though I was making $100,000 a year and lived in NYC, I felt disconnected and deeply desired a career I loved that helped others.
I had heard wonderful things about meditation and I felt it would provide career clarity. However, I wasn’t expecting the life-changing impact it had on my mental health and quality of life, which is one of the reasons I felt inspired to become a meditation coach.
The Transformation: Focus, Mental Clarity, Emotional Freedom and so Much More!
I hadn’t realized just how busy and chaotic my mind or internal world was until I began meditating.
When you practice mindfulness meditation, you’re learning how to practice non-judgmental observation, which is at the heart of mindfulness (and my wonderful program) and a life-changing skill important to master life.
Once you're able to master this very simple, yet effective technique, realizations drop in like hot cakes and what you need to change so you could become happier or improve your well-being becomes crystal clear.
During my initial meditation experiences, here are some of the benefits I started experiencing:
EMOTIONAL FREEDOM:
Old pains and difficult emotions that were blocking my path forward began to surface for acknowledgement and release. This part was hard. I was shocked to realize how much emotional baggage I was carrying from the past and I realized it was time to let go. Letting go felt uncomfortable, necessary and freeing.
INCREASED SELF-COMPASSION AND KINDNESS:
I realized I had a big inner critic that would not give me peace. Nothing was good enough, I had to be perfect, achieve more and give it my all or nothing. This critic was extremely nitpicky and exhausting. But with time, this judgmental voice faded to the background and a new voice emerged, one that was full of gentle encouragement and wise kindness. This bought me so much peace and compassion should be a part of all meditation practices!
LESS STRESS AND MORE FOCUS ON JOY:
I started to realize how much unnecessary stress I was creating by focusing on past hurts, future worries that didn't exist or things that were out of my control. I realized it was safe to let go, surrender and trust, even though sometimes it felt scary.
In turn, I started to focus on what I wanted or I continuously remembered my intention (in my meditation program, I dive deeper into the importance of intentions as they are powerful). With this, it became easier to rest in present time. Also, if I imagined the future, I started to imagine a bright one. Redirecting my focus to what helped my life and was useful, helped me feel less anxious and more confident. Learning how to train my attention and direct focus is a priceless habit to have and I'm forever grateful for this superpower.
INCREASED CONFIDENCE AND POSITIVE SELF-ESTEEM:
I began to notice hurtful beliefs that made me feel unworthy, small and weak. It was challenging to realize these painful "truths" that subconsciously wreaked havoc in my life. In fact, it made me sad. But every observation turned into an opportunity to see myself differently and realize Truth.
I began to choose more kind and loving beliefs that brought peace and improved my relationship with myself and overall experience of life. Some of my new beliefs were: It's okay to make mistakes. Even if you mess up, you still deserve love and respect. You're a good person. I'm doing my best and that's good enough. External circumstances don't dictate your value. You're worthy just as you are. You're not here to prove anything.
The Benefits Grew Overtime and Deepened
As my practice strengthened, my mind felt less scattered and cluttered and more spacious and free. My thoughts weren't as overwhelming and I felt more in control when my mind would spiral or think negative thoughts.
Instead of getting caught up in a story for weeks, I began to resolve triggering moments in days, and eventually I got so good at this that I learned how to immediately resolve them in present time.
To say meditation changed my life is an understatement. It saved my life from unhappiness, illusion and fear and brought me in alignment with clarity, joy and Truth and I know it's possible for others to experience the same as well.
Do these changes take place overnight? No, not really and that's okay. That's not how meditation or mindfulness works. The truth is, small changes over a long time create a momentum that leads to permanent results. Know that your changes will happen in perfect timing, as long as we don’t give up.
I meditated with my wonderful teacher for 90 days over the course of three years before I could feel confident doing it on my own (I went to a wonderful meditation program in Bali every year for 30 days and I meditated throughout the year regularly to strengthen my personal practice). But I never judged that timeline as "failing" or wrong. I just accepted it and I help my meditators see this as a life-time journey of self-discovery and learning. I know that if you're patient and stick with it, no matter how long it takes, it'll change your life.
Overtime, meditation did give me career clarity (obviously! lol) as I discovered a fulfilling profession as a meditation coach, which I absolutely love it! My main goal was achieved and also, I learned many valuable skills that prepared me for the rest of my life. I'm happy I can help others experience the same transformation, regardless of their own internal struggles.
Want to Go Deeper in Your Practice?
If you've been thinking about starting a meditation practice, here are a few ways I can help you:
I offer private meditation classes and accept new meditators at the beginning of the month. Ready to start? Apply here to learn how to effectively practice mindfulness meditation and improve your overall well-being.
I have a free Mindfulness Newsletter you can join for more meditation tips and mindfulness guidance!
Get my free 15 Minute Guided Meditation and start your day feeling relaxed, present and grounded!
Rebecca Michelle | Meditation Coach
Helping overthinkers get out of their heads and into the present moment through 1:1 mindfulness coaching and guided meditation classes online!
