How I Meditated for 122 Days in a Row
Consistency is easier than you think. It’s not motivation or lack of desire that gets in the way. It’s your habits, the things you do on autopilot that make or break your consistency.
So how do we get a new habit on autopilot?
First, you gotta figure out, is the new habit something that you want to do? Or something you think you should do?
Cause if you’re shoulding all over your new habit then you’re gonna drag your feet like a tantruming toddler and that new habit will never take off.
“Every single day of your life, you have the choice to stay where you are or move your life in new directions.”
- Mel Robbins
I wanted to meditate consistently every day.
To figure out if you’re shoulding or not, ask yourself, why do you want to do this new thing?
I want the mental clarity, stress relief, and grounding that I felt from meditating on a consistent basis. The more I do it, the better I’ll feel.
If any shoulds are popping up, check in with yourself. Is there something you need to learn, do, or figure out before you can put this new habit into practice?
Maybe you feel stuck in that you need to be in the “right” setting or mindset to meditate.
What’s blocking you from starting?
Work through those blocks, which could be as simple as buying a meditation cushion, downloading a meditation app, or buying some new curtains so the sun isn’t blazing in your eyeballs.
Once you’ve worked through your blocks, then you’re ready for step three: attach your new habit to an existing habit.
For me, that looked like meditating before I took a shower.
Important note: I’m super consistent in showering every day. I get a headache if I don’t shower (and if I don’t wash my hair), so I shower (and wash my hair) every damn day.
Pick an existing habit that you do on autopilot that makes sense to attach your new habit to, like brushing your teeth, getting in your car, or taking your dog for a walk.
Consider time of day, location, and the amount of time you need for your new habit. Then pick an existing habit that would work with it.
It doesn’t need to be perfect, you just gotta get started.
Once I attached my meditation to the 10 minutes before I took a shower, suddenly it felt easy, it was happening consistently and felt effortless after the first two weeks or so.
Give yourself at least 2 weeks to try on the new habit. It’s going to feel awkward and challenging in the beginning. Stick with it.
Journaling Prompt: What new habit do you want in your life?
I want something different for next year. I’m not one for setting resolutions, I gave up on them years ago, I don’t really see the point of trying to make a change that won’t stick.