Tell us a little bit about your journey with meditation.

I am by no means an expert when it comes to meditation. I also wouldn’t consider my way of practicing too aspirational either, but it’s certainly realistic and attainable. I’ve always liked the idea of being someone who meditates regularly as everyone I know that meditates on the regular seems to really have a good handle on their mental state and wellbeing.

I was apprehensive to trying meditation out as I’ve always been a fidgeter and thought this would hinder my ability to meditate. I never thought I’d actually be able to reap the benefits of meditation because every time I’d sit down and try, my mind would wander and I thought that meant I had failed.

However, when we spoke to Meg our Kic meditation coach about how to properly meditate, she affirmed that mind wandering is quite normal and that it absolutely didn’t mean that I wasn’t doing it right or that I wouldn’t be getting anything from the practice.

Once I knew this, my outlook on meditation changed and meditating became a more achievable task because I wasn’t worried about what I believed it ‘should’ look or feel like.

When did you start meditating? How did you come to incorporate meditation into your routine?

I’ve been dabbling in meditation practice for a few years now. My go-to way to practice has been through following the guided meditations in the Kic app.

I first started meditating when I had nights where I was struggling to sleep. When my mind was racing, I would play a Kic meditation as it allowed me to relax and wind down. It was only after using the sleep meditations that my regular practice really started. Now I’ll slide it into my routine how and when I see fit.

When and where do you meditate?

My most common time and place to meditate is just when I can find the time to do so! As a busy mum to Harvey, I try and just find 5 minutes in my day that is just for me. Whether that’s when I first wake up, just before bed or sitting in the car before I head into the office. I find it easier to get into a habit of meditating when I can just choose a time to meditate that fits with my lifestyle! 

What have you experienced as a result of meditating?

I get frustrated with myself for not practicing more regularly because when I do find time to fit meditation into my routine, it makes a huge impact. I feel grounded, present, calm and clearer in my mind when I practice regularly. Meditation has helped me practice more gratitude and has allowed me to stop, be present and content in any given moment.

For those unsure of why they should meditate and for those struggling to prioritise time to meditate, what would you say to them?

If you think ‘I don’t have time’, you do. We can all spare 5 minutes of our day to meditate .

If you’re wondering ‘what’s the point’, give it a go and see how you feel! To me the point is to give my body space to breathe, give my mind space to think clearly and give myself permission to slow down. It’s been proven that mediation can improve your focus, your sleep, management of stress and anxiety.

As a mum, how has regular meditation helped you?

Being a mum is filled with so many exciting challenges that I wouldn’t change for the world. Of course, there are some tougher times with parenting, especially with a toddler. I’ve found that meditation has been a great way to calm my mind and support my mental health, so I can be the best mum I can be for Harvey.