“I Can’t Meditate” — Said the Future Daily Meditator

If you had told me years ago that I would one day be meditating for two hours a day—on purpose—I would’ve laughed, probably while reorganising my to-do list and drinking coffee strong enough to raise the dead.

You see, I was that person—the one who dabbled in meditation like it was some sort of cosmic dip platter. A little bit here, a taste there… but a regular practice? Oh no. That was for monks, yogis, and those spiritually gifted humans who could breathe deeply without checking their phones.

And of course, it’s all in my numbers. My overactive, analytical, thinking-about-everything-at-once brain was never going to sit still. I even convinced myself meditation was “for other people” and, frankly, easier for those who didn’t have a monkey mind swinging from branch to branch at every passing thought.

But then, life changed.

When my son Thomas had his accident and we were suddenly navigating a world turned upside down, I did what any desperate, spiritually-seeking mother would do—I begged the Universe for guidance. And the Universe (being the sneaky genius it is) started leaving me feathers, signs, synchronicities, and… Dr. Joe Dispenza.

Cue mild panic.

Because the moment I realised meditation was going to be part of his healing, I also realised I had to lead the charge. No pressure, right? Trying to sell meditation to a teenager is one thing. Trying to do it when you’re not convinced you can do it yourself? That’s called cosmic comedy.

But I trusted the nudge. I had to. So, like any good teacher with zero qualifications but a big heart, I faked it ‘til I made it. We dove in. Not with five minutes of deep breathing and some calming flute music. Oh no—we went cold turkey with hour-long meditations. Bold, ridiculous, and... weirdly effective.

I still remember thinking, “OMG, am I going to have to do this every day for the rest of my life?” Now I smile and think, “OMG, I get to do this every day for the rest of my life!” Funny how things change.

So, if you’re like me—a former meditation avoider turned full-time vibe raiser—here are a few tips to get you going:

1. Treat it like an experiment

Don’t go in expecting enlightenment on day one. Instead, treat it like an internal science project. Keep a little journal. Rate each meditation. Jot down any weird tingles, intuitive nudges, or unexpected calm. You’ll start noticing patterns, and that’s where the magic lives.

2. The monkey mind is not your enemy

When your brain won’t shut up, don’t panic. That inner commentary—though deeply annoying—eventually becomes insight. Let it chatter. Observe it like background music. One day, it’ll settle. Or at least start speaking in wise metaphors instead of grocery lists.

3. Start small… unless you’re like me

If jumping into an hour-long meditation sounds terrifying, start with 5–10 minutes. But hey, if you’re the go-big-or-go-home type? Throw yourself into the deep end. It’s how I learned to swim… and meditate.

4. Be consistent (and kind to yourself)

Meditation isn’t a magic pill—it’s a practice. Some days will feel transcendent (and even that may not happen overnight)

, others will feel like you just sat and thought about laundry. That’s okay. Every minute spent in stillness builds a better relationship with your mind.

Meditation has become the anchor in my spiritual practice, not because I’m gifted at it (although after 5 years, I’ve got some skills!), but because I committed. I trusted the breadcrumbs, followed the signs, and let my need to "do it perfectly" go.

Now? I meditate because I want to, not because I have to. And I’m forever grateful to that version of me who sat down, lay down and/or walked, doubtful eyes, and an open heart.

So if you’re wondering whether meditation is for you—trust me, it is. Even if your mind is loud, your schedule is packed, and your inner critic is thriving. Especially then.

Because when you find your stillness, even just for a moment—you find your power.

Walking meditation at Mimi - Taranaki