Jenny So, it is 2018! I can’t believe how fast the past year went, it is definitely true that the more time flies the older you get. I have a feeling that 2018 is going to be a big one for me…I have a big birthday (not quite come to terms with that yet!), my children are becoming ‘tweens, potentially big changes at work. I have written a blog post about my aims for the next year and I am really hoping that I stick to them. I had my suspicions confirmed in 2017 that I have now transitioned into Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS), and I want to make sure that I make the most of the health that I have and enjoy the ‘little things’ more. Emma, from Not Just Tired really inspired me over the Christmas period with her #MakeMemories challenge – focusing on the positives at a time when it is very easy to become a bit overwhelmed. I have to admit that I didn’t quite manage not to become overwhelmed and overdo it a bit – I wanted to make the most of spending time with my sister, who is visiting from Australia – so, to help, I have decided to set myself my own challenge for the month of January: meditating everyday.
I love meditation; it helps me to feel calmer so I don’t fly off the handle as much, more in control of my illness, more present so that I appreciate the every day… but the past year has been pretty hard and, as a result, perhaps I haven’t appreciated as much as I could. My regular meditation practice has become a bit more, well, sporadic. I feel great when I do it, I just don’t do it enough at the moment. And I really think that regular practice reaps the greatest rewards.
The Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis programme has a fab clip to explain why meditation is so beneficial:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg017BzrC1o&w=560&h=315]
So, my plan for the month of January (starting today, the 3rd) is to meditate every day. I plan to start with a 10 minute meditation today, 15 minutes tomorrow and 20 minutes for the remaining days. But I am not going to beat myself up if I don’t do the full 20 minutes (kids, pets, life can get in the way) – as long as I do a bit every day I’ll be happy.
I already have a subscription of the Headspace meditation app but if I want to mix things up a bit, I’ll try the Insight Timer app or Calm. All I need is a quiet space (hopefully easy now that the kids have started back at school!) and my new candle to put me in a relaxed mood.
Anyone with me? I plan on writing a blog post at the end of the month in order to document my #MeditationChallenge and how it all goes, but ultimately i just want to feel a bit calmer and more in control of myself and my health. I’m really looking forward to this – wish me luck!
I wish you luck, not that I think you need it, I’m sure it will benefit you no end 😃
Thank you! Fingers crossed! X
And toes 😊
I meditate everyday. I do my own thing with my own breath and affirmations. It centers me too. I’m behind you on your challenge. FYI some days I do 45 minutes some days I barely do 1 minute. Life gets in the way and that’s ok.
Wow! Glad to hear that it helps you 🙂 I don’t want to worry if I can’t stick to my 10 mins a day, I’m sure even one minute helps! Xx
What a great idea Jen! Of all the OMS lifestyle changes I find mediation/stress management the hardest. Maybe your challenge will help to give me the motivation I need and we can spur each other on! All the best for the month ahead and I can’t wait to read how you get on. x
Great, I hope that it helps (me and you!) Thank you for sharing too 🙂 xx
Fantastic idea Jen! Thank you so much for the lovely mention 😊 Christmas all gets a bit crazy doesn’t it!
I try and meditate everyday (when possible!) for 10 minutes (more when I can!) and I agree it helps so much. It’s always the thing I turn to as well when I need some respite from my symptoms. I will try and join you this month by increasing the duration of my meditation practice when I can! Good luck and enjoy! xxx
Thanks Emma! And thank you for spurring me on to take some time out and enjoy the little things more this year. I’m hoping that’s what my meditation will help me to do 🙂 xx
Brilliant challenge for the New Year. I’m also aiming to meditate everyday but just going for 10 minutes a day at the moment. 🙂 Good luck and looking forward to reading how you got on at the end of the month. 🙂 xxx
Thanks Heather, I think I may have set myself a tough challenge but so far I have managed it, the hard part will be next week when I’m back at work! Xx
Thank you Jen for sharing. I keep saying that I am going to start meditating but always fail to keep it going. I look forward to hearing how much it helps you and hope it will jump start my ambition to stick with it!! Much Love and keep fighting MS!!!
Thanks Alyssa! I found that just doing 1-2 minute breathing exercises (YouTube) is always a good place to start but I have decided not to beat myself up if I DON’T achieve my goal because it was a very tough challenge to set myself! Xx
I wish you lots of luck! It is best to never beat yourself up if you do not achieve your goals the first time around, you can always try again! But, I have faith in you and think you will accomplish your goal!!! xx
❤️ I hope so! Xx
Sweetie, I believe in you and your abilities to accomplish anything!!!
Twenty minutes is a good target Jenny.
“You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day — unless you’re too busy. Then you should sit for an hour.” -Zen proverb
Love that 🙂 Do you meditate? Xx
I tried to comment here yesterday but something was wrong with my WP account so I don’t think it sent properly. Just wanted to say I think this is a fab challenge, and definitely a worth-while one. I would join you in it, but I think I’d have to go for 10 mins every other day as this is more realistic for me right now, otherwise I’d be setting myself up to fail. Will look forward to hearing how you’re getting on! 🙂
Caz xx
I think that ANYTHING (even 1 or 2 minutes) is better than nothing! But I have told myself not to beat myself up if I don’t achieve what I set out to do as it was a very tough challenge! Today is a tricky one for me as my kids are at home? So getting those few minutes to just concentrate on me can be tough. I plan on doing a blog post the the end, so watch this space!! Xx
You’re right, every little counts. I hope you manage to squeeze in even a few minutes of quiet time today where you can concentrate (or put in some earplugs and lock the door) 🙂
Great idea! I always start my “daily” practice again whenever I haven’t done it in a while. I tell myself I can start again every day and it is the best way for me, and true. I haven’t been meditating as much because I felt disconnected while I was on Lyrica. I didn’t feel what I used to feel during meditation and it was depressing. Now I’m off of the drug and my normal emotions start to come back slowly. I hope that meditation helps my body to come back to it’s normal metabolism and nervous system. I just did a 15 minute session before I saw your link on Twitter 😉
At the moment I also do Yoga Nidra regularly. It can be done lying down and is as wonderful as meditation. I cannot meditate longer than 15 minutes because of muscle pain that gets worse, but Yoga Nidra sessions are about 30 to 45 minutes and so the relaxation is even deeper.
Thank you for reminding me (confirming me) that meditation is a wonderful remedy for chronic illnesses!
I’m glad that meditation helps you as much as it helps me! And thank you so much for the tip about yoga nidra, I have some mobility problems so struggle with lots of poses, but the relaxation sounds great so I will have a look and see if I can do it (adapting if needed). Many thanks! 🙏🏼
this sounds like a great challenge. all the best with it! <3 xxx
Thank you!! I have done ok so far, so I’m pleased… still a couple of weeks to go though! X
[…] of me. I worried that I wouldn’t have the energy to complete my 20 minutes of meditation (see here for my #MeditationChallenge). I’m pleased to say I did manage it, but then I was straight to […]
[…] on the 3rd January, at the start of the year, I set myself a meditation challenge – to see if meditating every day would help me to feel more calm and in control. I set […]