Updated: March 19, 2021
Originally Published: May 16, 2020
As I sit on my living room floor trying to find a comfortable position, I realize that achieving the perfect lotus pose is far beyond my current capabilities. My knees protest, and the serene image of a tranquil meadow is a far cry from my chaotic home life. Like countless others, I’m navigating remote learning with my children and the added pressures of a global health crisis. So, tranquility? Not quite.
However, I did embark on a meditation journey. It all started when I stumbled upon an ad for a free month of the Waking Up meditation app by Sam Harris on my social media feed. A friend had been encouraging me to give it a try, claiming it was the best she’d found. Skeptical but intrigued, I decided to take the plunge.
Initially, I set reminders on the app to meditate. Throughout that first week, each notification was met with a dismissive swipe. Finally, I took a moment to sit down and dedicate ten minutes to the practice. My dog snuggled into my lap, and the noise of my kids filled the background. Still, I focused on my breath as best as I could, guided by Sam’s soothing voice encouraging me to refocus without judgment whenever my mind wandered.
At first, I chalked up the calm I felt afterward to mere suggestion. Yet, each time I returned to meditate—whether daily or not—I experienced a similar sense of tranquility. As a work-from-home parent in a pandemic, these brief moments of focus became essential.
I learned that distractions can coexist with meditation. In fact, during one session, my ten-year-old daughter joined me, and we both concentrated on our breathing despite the chaos around us. The reality is that motherhood and meditation can harmoniously intertwine even amidst the noise of family life.
Research backs up the benefits of mindfulness meditation. A Harvard study revealed that individuals who meditated daily for eight weeks showed significant changes in gene expression related to inflammation and stress, alongside lower blood pressure levels. While I’m not measuring my brain’s structural changes, the calming effects of a few minutes spent meditating each day are undeniable. When I meditate, my everyday anxiety—often manifesting as tightness in my chest—subsides. I become more present and find a renewed perspective on the chaos around me.
I may not be meditating “correctly,” with my thoughts drifting and the dog often interrupting, yet simply acknowledging my thoughts and returning to my breath is beneficial. If you’re interested in exploring meditation yourself, there are numerous apps available. For example, Waking Up offers a free trial, while Headspace is a highly recommended option. For those on a budget, Smiling Mind is available for free, designed for both adults and children.
For a simpler approach, you can always take ten minutes to sit quietly and focus on your breath. If you’re looking for more information on home insemination and related topics, check out this other blog post here, and for a comprehensive overview of donor insemination, visit American Pregnancy.
In summary, my meditation journey has been a surprising source of calm amidst the unpredictability of life during a pandemic. It’s not about perfection; it’s about finding peace in the present moment.
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