Why Meditation Doesn’t Work and 3 Ways to Fix It
When I first started meditating, I remember sitting down, closing my eyes, taking a deep breath and expecting a peaceful, mind-clearing experience.
Instead, my thoughts ran wild! I kept thinking about my to-do list, negative thoughts were an unwelcome distraction and unresolved conversations from last week wouldn’t stop.
Frustrated, I paused and thought, “Why doesn’t meditation doesn’t work for me!”
If you’ve ever felt the same, you’re not alone.
Many beginners face similar challenges, wondering if they’ll ever quiet their minds or feel a sense of peace.
But I’m here to assure you—meditation can work for you. With the right mindset, proper guidance and effective techniques, you’ll be well on your way and today, you’ll learn exactly how!
Hey there,
I’m Rebecca!
I’m a private meditation coach who’s guided over 1,000 one on one meditation classes.
I help people learn how to effectively practice meditation so they can calm their mind and improve their mood.
Today, we’re diving into why meditation may not be working for you and breaking down the most common challenges. I’ll share simple, practical solutions to help you stay on track with your meditation journey.
In this post, we’ll cover
The three main reasons why meditation doesn’t work for everyone
Effective solutions to make meditation work for you
The incredible benefits waiting for you when you get it right
Let’s break it down so you can finally build a meditation practice that truly feels good for you!
Three Reasons Why Meditation Doesn’t Work
1. You’re Not Sure How Meditation Actually Works or You Lack Knowledge
Unfortunately, many first time meditators believe they aren’t supposed to have any thoughts in meditation. This is far from the truth and this misconception will hurt your progress and prevent your growth.
Therefore, it's important to have a solid understanding of meditation basics, which includes understanding what meditation is, how to properly practice and we must understand the real goals of meditation and most importantly, you must understand why you are meditating.
Before I begin meditation classes with new students, we set realistic goals and start with a meditation workshop. This helps beginners develop a strong foundation to set their practice up for success.
We discuss misconceptions in depth, they learn about different types of meditation and we develop a meditation practice that fits their goals and lifestyle. In addition, they discover a variety of ways to practice mindfulness in their day to day life. When you know how meditation works and feel confident practicing, you’ll advance much quicker and enjoy meditation!
This is where I learned about meditation. I attended a Yoga teacher training program in Bali—it was life changing!
Find a Meditation Teacher or Join a Program to Make Meditation Work
When meditation doesn’t work, find a trusted teacher or program that clearly explains meditation techniques and helps you set realistic expectations. Support from a teacher will help you gain insights and advance your practice quicker as you’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and deepen understanding from someone who’s been there.
Remember, meditation isn’t about stopping thoughts; it’s about becoming aware of your thoughts and observing them without judgment. When you learn exactly how to do this, your practice will take off and this is when I see clients really experience the benefits!
Why do I struggle with meditation?
I struggled with meditation for a year and just didn’t get it until I attended a program. We learned the essentials and practiced a well-structured meditation sequence, which made meditation feel effortless. However, even after learning the necessary basics and effective techniques, it took time to master them. Your meditation struggles will turn into success if you give yourself grace and remain dedicated to your practice.
2. Meditation Does Not Work Because You Don’t Resonate With Your Practice
Another reason why meditation doesn't work is because you haven’t found the right practice for you! If you’re forcing a meditation that feels awkward, it most likely means it’s not the one for you!
In my first year of exploring different meditation practices, I was mostly thinking, ‘why does meditation not work for me?’. I didn’t know it then, but I was in a research or testing period. It was a little overwhelming and I needed to cultivate patience as I discovered what felt best.
I went to a meditation event where we were in a room staring at a candle next to a picture of a guru — I wasn't feeling it. I read about Transcendental Meditation and tried it, but it didn’t resonate. I even went to YouTube and tried Buddhist chants and they were sweet, but it didn’t give me what I was looking for.
After twelve months of doing research, I found a meditation program in Indonesia that was everything I was looking for! In the program, we practiced a combination of kriya yoga and mindfulness meditation and loved it.
However, over time I didn’t feel Kriya Yoga was simple enough to continue long-term and that’s when I recognized mindfulness meditation was the practice that worked best for me!
I love the technique of becoming a neutral observer of thoughts and feelings and it really helped me understand myself on a deeper level. It's the most simple and effective method I’ve come across and it's the one I use for my personal meditation practice today. It’s also the same method I teach in my one to one meditation classes and students find it very straightforward and easy! We also add a gratitude practice at the end of the meditation as this elevates our mood and amps up the good vibes! Clients love it and this is the practice that I see myself doing for the rest of my life!
When Meditation Doesn't Work, Explore Different Meditations and Styles
Of course I want to tell you to go straight to mindfulness meditation because it’s the practice that’s been effective for me. BUT, I want to encourage you to try different styles—whether it’s Zen, Kriya Yoga, transcendental meditation or guided meditations with a theme, like self-love.
As you try different practices, notice which one you feel most drawn to. Pay attention to what makes you feel connected and at ease and follow that. This part may take time because there’s many meditation styles, but be patient!
It took two years to find the one I loved and there’s often a learning curve with each practice. Over time, you’ll find the perfect meditation that suits your needs, lifestyle and feels sustainable.
Does meditation work for everyone?
Yes and no.
I 100% believe in meditation because it made a permanent and positive impact in my life. However, there are different ways to awaken peace, cultivate awareness and discover wisdom from within. For example, some people experience the same effects as meditation, from being in nature. We have to follow what resonates most and for some, maybe that won’t be meditation and that’s okay.
On the flip side, I don’t recommend meditation if you’re experiencing depression or extreme mental or emotional stress. I often tell clients if they feel highly emotional, they should do something physical instead of meditation. Moreover, if the emotional distress lasts for an extended period of time, they should talk to a psychologist to work through challenges as needed. Some clients work with me and a psychologist side by side and they find it very meaningful and impactful. (If you’re curious about meditation and have some questions, book a free 30 minute call and we could talk through your needs.)
3. The Last Reason Meditation Doesn’t Work is Because You’re Not Being Consistent
Another popular reason why meditation doesn’t work for everyone is because you need to be consistent. Meditation isn’t a one-and-done practice. Like any skill, it requires continued effort and the magic happens over time, not overnight.
How many days does it take for meditation to work?
This varies from person to person but what I notice is it takes three to nine months to see results. However, some clients experience life-changing realizations in just a few meditation sessions.
Long-term benefits come from showing up regularly—even if that’s once a week. Matter of fact, most clients I meditate with meet me once a week and that's enough to help them stay focused and present until I see them next week.
I also encourage them to meditate on their own in between sessions, even if its just for a few minutes. Luckily, you don’t have to meditate everyday for an hour to see results and most modern day people just don't have the time —I get it. But if meditation doesn’t seem to be working, it could be because you aren’t consistent.
When Meditation Doesn't Work Due to Inconsistency, Schedule It in Your Calendar
Schedule meditation in your calendar and treat it like any other important appointment. When you start showing up consistently for your practice and taking it seriously, you will see great changes.
Also, develop a positive mindset about your practice. Tell yourself you love meditating and can’t wait to do it because you know it will help you relieve stress and anxiety naturally.
Another wonderful tip when you’re starting out, is to start small—even five minutes can make a difference! Start small and build up gradually—consistency is more important than duration.
Overtime, you’ll definitely notice significant shifts in your mindset and well-being. Once you notice the changes and growth, you’ll find yourself more drawn to your practice and actually looking forward to it!
Why am I so resistant to meditation?
Also, a lot of us may feel an energetic resistance to sitting in stillness and silence. This is where gentle determination and self-compassion will be important. In the beginning, let the resistance be there and continue your meditation practice, overtime the resistance will soften and be less problematic. Resilience is also a skill you can strengthen by consistently showing up to practice meditation.
Benefits of a Consistent Meditation Practice
If you’re wondering why it’s worth the consistent effort, here are some scientifically proven meditation benefits:
Improved well-being – Meditation enables emotional balance and resilience.
Calmer mind – A regular practice helps you manage stress and anxiety.
Improved mood – Meditation can reduce symptoms of depression and increase happiness.
Increased self-awareness – It helps you develop a deeper understanding of yourself.
Habits to improve mental health – Meditation supports healthy thought patterns.
Better deep sleep – Meditation can promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.
How to stop negative overthinking – It trains your mind to focus and redirect unhelpful thoughts.
With all of these benefits, meditating feels like a no-brainer!
The view from the Yoga Shala in Bali where we practiced meditation. One piece of advice—don’t give up!
Meditation Can Work For You!
If you’ve ever felt like meditation ‘doesn’t work for me’, keep going until you find the right meditation that can turn your frustration into a fulfilling, life-improving practice. As we covered in this blog, be sure to:
Learn the correct techniques and set realistic expectations
Find a meditation style that aligns with your needs and personality
Stay consistent—even starting with a few minutes a day can create powerful results
Meditation has real benefits that materializes and works once you get it, so keep at it!
Work with a Personal Meditation Coach to Build a Practice that Works!
If all else fails, please contact me for a free consultation! I’d love to give you some tips and help you create a simple, effective and enjoyable practice. Or join my Mindfulness Newsletter for more meditation tips and guidance!
Rebecca Michelle | Meditation Coach
Helping you learn how to get meditation right so you can calm your mind and feel present.
