The new year is already into its second month, but my resolutions haven’t exactly gotten off the ground yet. It’s not that I’ve given up on them. It’s more like, I haven’t even started. January is usually a rough month in our house. We inevitably succumb to the winter germs and spend the month under quilts with tissue boxes. Now that we’re coming out from under the fog of sickness, I’m returning to my postponed resolutions with a renewed sense of ambition.
Among the typical plans to sew more, eat less sugar, and go to bed earlier, I would like to incorporate a daily meditation practice into my routine.
Here’s a little back story: about a year and a half ago during the warm summer months, my husband and I had gotten into a routine of early morning meditation. Before the kids got up we would brew some coffee and sit outside on our patio chairs in silence as the sun rose. We would set a timer for twenty minutes, plant our feet on the ground and sit with our eyes closed. Some days were easier than others. Some days I would sneak one eye open to grab a sip of coffee and admire the rose-colored sky. Some days I would focus on the sound of the birds and my husband’s sips of coffee rather than my breathing or any mantra.
But regardless of whether or not I meditated the “right way”, one thing was clear: starting my day with peace and calm made my entire day better. I still look back on that summer and how meditating impacted so many aspects of my life. I was creative (that’s when I was working through Lincoln), I was at my ideal weight, and I felt like I was taking care of myself, body and mind. So what happened?
Well, for starters, it got cold and dark. School started and our morning routine changed. And the honest truth is, I am not a morning person. But that is all about to change. Starting this week, I plan to get up an hour earlier to start my day mindfully. I’ll report back here to let you know how it’s going, whether or not I’m noticing an impact on my creativity, and any other benefits or roadblocks I’m experiencing.
So now, I’d like to know. Do you meditate? If you do, or have ever tried, do you feel like it’s made an impact on your creativity or how you approach your art?
If you are currently practicing or would be interested in trying, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Perhaps we could encourage one another and hold each other accountable?
And if you are interested in learning more, here are a few articles that I found to get you started:
Simple Breathwork Tips to Get You Started
Find the Best Mediation Style for Your Personality
5 Tips for the New or Struggling Meditator
Read This Before You Give Up on Your Meditation Practice
Among the typical plans to sew more, eat less sugar, and go to bed earlier, I would like to incorporate a daily meditation practice into my routine.
Here’s a little back story: about a year and a half ago during the warm summer months, my husband and I had gotten into a routine of early morning meditation. Before the kids got up we would brew some coffee and sit outside on our patio chairs in silence as the sun rose. We would set a timer for twenty minutes, plant our feet on the ground and sit with our eyes closed. Some days were easier than others. Some days I would sneak one eye open to grab a sip of coffee and admire the rose-colored sky. Some days I would focus on the sound of the birds and my husband’s sips of coffee rather than my breathing or any mantra.
But regardless of whether or not I meditated the “right way”, one thing was clear: starting my day with peace and calm made my entire day better. I still look back on that summer and how meditating impacted so many aspects of my life. I was creative (that’s when I was working through Lincoln), I was at my ideal weight, and I felt like I was taking care of myself, body and mind. So what happened?
Well, for starters, it got cold and dark. School started and our morning routine changed. And the honest truth is, I am not a morning person. But that is all about to change. Starting this week, I plan to get up an hour earlier to start my day mindfully. I’ll report back here to let you know how it’s going, whether or not I’m noticing an impact on my creativity, and any other benefits or roadblocks I’m experiencing.
So now, I’d like to know. Do you meditate? If you do, or have ever tried, do you feel like it’s made an impact on your creativity or how you approach your art?
If you are currently practicing or would be interested in trying, I’d love to hear from you in the comments. Perhaps we could encourage one another and hold each other accountable?
And if you are interested in learning more, here are a few articles that I found to get you started:
Simple Breathwork Tips to Get You Started
Find the Best Mediation Style for Your Personality
5 Tips for the New or Struggling Meditator
Read This Before You Give Up on Your Meditation Practice
I do meditate. It comes in waves for me as well, but with QuiltCon coming up, I am making an intention over the next week and then during QuiltCon to get some meditation in my schedule to help maintain my sanity. Getting up earlier sounds like it might be the bigger challenge than the mediation. I hope it goes well for you!
I think you’re right on the getting up part — and I believe that it’s part of the discipline that I’m looking to develop and nurture through the meditation practice! I wish you all the best as you prepare for QuiltCon. Please check in, I’d love to hear how it is going for you!
I have been meditating off and on for years and yes I find when i do it I am less stressed and can accomplish more.
Yes, that is so true, Lisa! When I take the time to center myself and calm the nervous energy it is much easier to focus, and in turn, work productively.
I have been listening to Headspace (meditation app) before bed and I really like it. I’d also like to do it in the morning, but time is the problem (damned if I’m getting up any earlier). I always go for a run or walk in the morning before the household gets up, so I figure that’s really a morning meditation equivalent for me. I love having that time to think a bit about the day to come and try and get myself mentally organised and in the right frame of mind to have a good, productive day. Doesn’t always work, but it’s a habit is very good for me, I think.
Good luck with your morning routine. It always feels so good to start the day prepared.
I definitely think meditation can come in different forms. Sometimes when I am cutting fabric I feel like its a meditation. I would imagine an early morning run has the same benefits. I feel like anything early morning would have to be better than getting up and jumping right into the chaos of the day!
I try to get in the habit, meditate for a period of days or sometimes weeks, and then get out of the habit. I do like the way I feel if I meditate. Why is it difficult to spend the time then? It needs to be more of a priority I suppose? Like healthy eating habits, exercise, etc.
I find that there are few activities — mindful breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, prayer, outdoor exercise, even a long bath — that make a positive change to my day. My perfectionism has gotten in the way in the past, though. If I can’t do something every day, I don’t bother doing it at all. And really, taking care of myself in some small way is always better than doing nothing. So on the days when I can’t start my morning with 20 minutes of quiet prayer, I try to squeeze something else in later — even if it’s as simple as muscle relaxation and deep breathing while I’m (ack!) driving in the car. These activities make me a better quilter and a better person overall!
I was lucky to have a wonderful dance teacher in high school who introduced me to meditation. Many years have passed since then, but at the beginning of this year, I found I had to get it back in my life. I haven’t done it every day (I prefer to do it mid-day and sometimes it’s tough to leave my office), but on the days I have, there is a difference. I consider hand-quilting a type of meditation, but sometimes you have to sit still, close your eyes and breathe . . just breathe.