How to Restart Meditating and How to Keep the Habit

I’ve stopped meditating, how do I restart?

You are here because you’ve stopped meditating. Don’t worry, everyone I know has stopped one time or another.

To make matters worse, probably when you came back to it you realized that your mind was restless, cluttered, and in disarray.

This, by itself, can be a deterrent. Especially, after seeing how your effort seemed to have been in vain.

But don’t despair! I have some tips that I’ve learned over the years.

Get to the Root of the Problem

What seemed to be the problem? Why you stopped, be honest so you can better prepare yourself.

Feels Purposeless

After having reached your goal, you keep meditating. But after a while, you forget your why.

Why am I doing this in the first place? Like going to the gym, you lost those 10 pounds already; so, now what?

But your mind needs maintenance. Just like we eat to be healthy. Health isn’t a permanent state.

Like overgrown weeds in your back yard, your body and mind both need constant care.

You are slowly improving yourself. Set new goals. Visualize them. Also, remind yourself of how meditation has changed you.

Life Gets in the Way

Life is unexpected. But if you can’t commit 20 minutes, try dividing it. Meditate a bit in the morning and a bit at night.

If life is getting busy, don’t lose the habit. It is always easier to build upon a shortened habit than to start from scratch. Don’t neglect your mind.

Just like a cat turns feral and stray, so can our mind.

Be Patient

The most discouraging fact is that change takes time. Even if you meditate daily, the return of investment — if we can call it that — feels negligible. That is just in the beginning, stick to it. You will soon enjoy the benefits.

It Got Boring

Meditation can turn stale if you do the same mediation over and over again. Think about ways to add some variety.

I will tell you a bit about other types of mediations. Hang in there.

It Feels Wrong

Remember that there is no right or wrong way to meditate. Sitting on a yoga mat is not a prerequisite, nor is the lotus position.

You can meditate while laying down on the bare floor. You can meditate by the sea or in the woods. So, if you are off vacationing, you can still do it.

If you are coming out of a meditation slumber, I recommend you restart with the most popular type: mindfulness meditation.

Choose the type that suits you and your goals.

· Mindfulness meditation: simply recognize your thoughts as they pass by, do not judge them. Let them pass.

· Focused: your attention is focused on anything. It can be breaths, a sound (such as a gong), a candle flame, etc.

· Movement: can be done while walking or gardening. Some people do tai chi.

· Mantra: repeating the famous “om” sound or any other word or phrase.

· Visualization: you focus your mind on positive images or scenes. You can visualize yourself succeeding at something.

This this isn’t an exhaustive list. There are many more types.

I, too, felt many times that I must be doing it wrong. It is a feeling that you sort of become used to. Don’t let it dissuade you. It is normal to feel it when you seem stuck.

Just keep hacking through the overgrown weeds.

Commit to It

It sounds simple, but it is hard. Showing up, sitting down, and slowing your mind down is not easy.

In the beginning, I failed a lot. It was demotivating. At times I believed I wasn’t cut out for this. Deep inside I was frustrated.

Then I found the excuse of being too busy, that didn’t help. Truth is, it’s not like I couldn’t spare a few minutes. It was just easier hiding behind excuses.

But don’t fall for it; just keep showing up.

Be Kind

Most importantly, don’t berate yourself for having stopped. Be kind to yourself if you are having difficulties.

What is the purpose of meditating if you don’t practice kindness while not meditating?

Be kind to the most important person — you.

There Is a Game for That

If you’re a gamer, there is a PC game that can keep you motivated. It is called Playne.

Turning it into a game has its place; by gamifying your meditation, you keep yourself motivated.

The game is for beginners and seasoned meditators alike. You level up. The nature grows around you as you build a meditation streak. Plug your headphones and relax to the sound of nature.

According to their store page, up to 97% of players felt calmer. I fell into that percentage too.

The game is actually good too; it has overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam. It is around $15 USD, a one-time digital purchase. Alternatively, you can wait for it to go on sale. Steam has frequently deep discounts.

There Is an App for That

There are also apps like Headspace or Calm. They are around $12-15 USD, but with the inconvenience of being monthly charge. Both apps are cheaper if you buy a yearly pass though.

They have a function to aid in sleeping. You can also meditate to the voices of famous people.

To be honest I haven’t tried it, I just don’t believe in paying a monthly subscription for meditating. That is just me thought. Maybe having your money where your mouth is increases your commitment.

Conclusion

Why you’ve stopped meditating can be just as important as how you meditate. Consider the root problem.

Take care and meditate away.