Morning Meditation: Thinking From The State, Not About It.
Traditional Meditation Doesn’t Quite Work For Me
In the past, I struggled with the traditional style of meditation, I was aware of the benefits and when I forced myself to sit quietly and clear my mind, I felt calmer for the first hour of my day, but it just wasn’t cutting it, I still didn’t feel like I was in the right state and would constantly waver. I would easily fall back into old thought patterns, and I was still viewing things from an outdated perspective that wasn’t making me feel any better. The state I wanted to be in seemed difficult to stay in. So I decided to stop trying to quiet my mind and instead start my day by getting into “character”. That’s when it all changed and something clicked. So, if you’re anything like me, and you don’t enjoy sitting quietly and trying to empty your mind, then perhaps this style of meditation will work for you.
What I actually do
Most mornings when I wake up, I try to get into the mind of the ideal version of myself. It’s as though I am method acting, but I’m not trying to be someone else, instead, I’m trying to step into a version of me that I am inspired by and want to become. So, what I actually do to get into that state is avoid looking at my phone first thing in the morning, I just want it to be me and my own thoughts, I don’t want to be influenced by anyone or anything else. I stay in bed and allow myself to wake up slowly, I try not to rush that part. Once I know I’m fully awake and won’t fall back to sleep, I set a 10‑minute timer, put my eye-mask on, lie back, and begin thinking from the version of me that is living my dream life. I like to pick a specific scenario to envision and try to picture what that would be like if I were that version of me already, especially the type of scenarios that make me feel excited and carefree.
For example, I imagine that I am packing for a luxurious holiday away, and I am chatting to my partner about what we will be doing, eating, seeing, etc. I envision myself packing my favourite outfits into the suitcase or deciding what perfume and jewellery to take with me or what I may end up buying on my trip. I like to think of the type of conversations I would have with family and friends about this trip to really help myself get into the state. All the little details is what makes it feel like I’m living it, not just watching it like a movie.
Once the 10-minutes are up, I get ready and go about my day like normal, yet I still feel as though I am in the state, and it’s effortless. I can definitely feel myself mentally lighter and not obsessing over issues that normally eat away at my mind. Instead, I find myself acting similar to the ideal version of me I was envisioning. And I notice such a big difference on the days when I meditate versus when I skip it, which motivates me to do this daily.
Why Morning Meditation Matters
Morning meditation matters because your mind is at its most receptive when you first wake up. Before you go and bombard your mind with notifications, conversations, and responsibilities, you’re far less influenced by the outside world. This makes the morning the best and easiest time to enter a new state. And I’ve found that whatever state I step into in the morning tends to carry through the rest of the day, it’s a noticeable difference, and over time, if you are consistent, it makes a difference.
The aim of doing morning meditations isn’t about daydreaming the morning away, it’s about viewing life from the version of you who has the reality you desire, you get a glimpse into that world and get to decide if it is possible for you. And as you persist visualising from the ideal state, then you will lead with confidence throughout your day, you will feel rejuvenated, lighter, confident, and happier. New ideas and thoughts will form, and you may end up taking action to create a new path that leads to this desired outcome.
If You Struggle To Come Up With Visualisations
If you aren’t able to come up with a scene on the spot, or you struggle staying in the scene, you could create your own guided mediation. You can do this by recording yourself describing the type of scene you want to experience. It doesn’t need to perfect, it just needs to feel natural to you. This brings a bit more ease when it comes to making up something in the moment, it makes it easier to stay in the state. Over time, you may find you no longer need the recording, but it can be a great support while you’re building the habit.
Ten-Minutes Is All You Need
When it comes to meditating or visualising, you don’t have to do it for long, just long enough for your mind to get into a good state and 10-minutes seems to be the sweet spot. Of course, you can meditate for however long or short you want, and if you have the time to do it for a little longer, than by all means, go ahead! But you will find that any morning meditation will create a positive shift. You will move through your day with more confidence and feel less reactive, you may even find that it’s easier to stay in the mindset of your ideal self. And it’s not that meditating will suddenly make life become perfect, but because you are viewing life from a different state, then you will move differently and that will positively impact how life unfolds for you.
