#2460 thankful for Calm

Like many people, I have felt extra levels of anxiety this year for lots of different reasons. I'm fortunate that I found someone I could talk to (professionally) before the lockdown started and life got really strange this year. One of the best things my therapist told me about is meditation. It was something that I wanted to try but didn't think I would be good at or that I would benefit from. 

The thing about meditation is that, like yoga, it is a practice. It's something you have to keep doing as you sort of train yourself to refocus your wandering thoughts. From everything I've read and learned, a wandering mind is just part of meditating. The trick is to gently and softly bring your mind back to focus on whatever it is you are focusing on. I usually focus on breathing because, you know, it,'s something you're doing anyway.

I find myself pausing during the workday to refocus myself, especially when I have many things to do. Multi-tasking isn't my best mode. It mostly can't be avoided, but I try to minimize it. I can't give my best effort to multiple tasks at one time. Taking a breath and pausing to decide what to focus on is helpful to me.

For my birthday this year, I treated myself to a year's subscription to the Calm app. I really like it. There are so many options. I use the music part a lot in the evening; in fact, I am listening to some music on the app right now. Another thing I like a lot is the daily gratitude section. A reminder pops up in the morning and asks me what I am grateful/thankful for at that moment.  It is a great way to start the day. 

My main meditation time is right before bed. I put in my airpods and listen to the Daily Calm meditation. It is a guided themed meditation that lasts about ten minutes. The first few minutes is guided breathing. Following the breath is really what meditation is all about. I have become so relaxed that I have fallen asleep during the breathing. The last few minutes are explanations of the theme of that day. It might be about gratitude, or detachment, or love; I haven't ever heard the same theme twice. If there is one that is meaningful, it can be saved as a favorite to return to another time. 

There are lots of meditation apps that you can get and most of them are free. Like Calm, you can purchase a subscription to unlock more content. I've been really happy with Calm and have not once regretted the purchase. I use it nearly every day, and when I miss a day, I really do miss it. 

I was just thinking that so many things have pointed me in the direction of meditation and reflection this year. From therapy to books about meditation and breathing to just reflecting on who I am and what I want. Sheesh! Sounds like I'm in a mid-life moment! So be it. I'm glad to be in this space.