Meditation definitely gets a bad reputation when it comes to popular media. From the constant repetition of "um" to the ability to float if you do it just right, it is no wonder that people are hesitant to get started on the whole process. I will fully admit that it took me a while to jump on board with the whole idea; there was not part of me that wanted to sit on my floor cross-legged for an hour hoping that I would magically be at peace with my life. The whole process seemed unnecessary and honestly, just stupid.

Somewhere along the line, I decided to give it a shot. I mean, what did I have to lose? I won't lie and say that I was immediately in love with meditating after my first time. It probably took me a good week before I noticed even the slightest difference. As someone whose mind is CONSTANTLY racing and does not have a moment of free time, I felt a second of relief.

That was all it took to open my mind up a little more. Sure, it seems really cliche, but having a chance to not worry about all of the things I had to do that day or think about the things that were bothering me was enough to sell me a little more on the idea. Being mindful is important so that we don't get too overwhelmed by our thoughts and we can actually appreciate what is going on around us.

I am always busy, and it is not unusual for me to push it off with the excuse of having too much to do. You don't have to meditate for hours on end. I only meditate for like 10 minutes a day, but it's not a huge deal if you miss a day here and there. This for you, and there is not going to be anyone there reminding you every day that you should be meditating.

Not to mention it's also crazy easy to do. You don't have to fill your room with candles and sit on the floor. Most times I literally just sit on my bed, no candles needed. There are a million apps that you can use or just go on YouTube and listen to one; most of them are free anyway. They have times ranging from five minutes to an hour; it's honestly all about what fits best into YOUR schedule.

Meditating gives you a chance to forget about the crazy world around you for a couple minutes and just be. It is not hard to be caught up in the daily challenges, but this gives to a chance to not worry about anything outside. Even if meditating doesn't become a daily activity for you, there is still benefit in doing it every once in a while, especially when you're stressed.

Meditation is probably not going to be the best part of your day, and it's going to feel like a hassle for a while. It's the results that make a difference and make those 10 minutes worthwhile. Give yourself a chance to take care of yourself, even if you're not big on the self-care fad. It is important to take care of yourself.

I'm sure that you've heard it a million times because I know that I have, so I won't harp on it. I'm one of the WORST people to model after if you want to see what you should be doing. But I can say this: taking care of yourself makes a difference in your everyday life, and this is a small step in the right direction.