Does anyone else find meditation harder than it looks?

I totally get it, meditation can be tough, especially when you're just starting out. At first, I found it really hard to quiet my mind too. But what helped me was being consistent and patient with myself. I started with short sessions, like 5-10 minutes, and gradually increased the time as I got more comfortable. I also found that focusing on my breath, rather than trying to completely blank my mind, made a big difference. It's not about stopping your thoughts completely, but learning to observe them without getting caught up. Have you tried using a physical anchor, like a candle flame or a mantra, to help keep your focus? Sometimes, I also imagine I'm watching a slow, arthouse film – it helps me relax and stay present.

Leonardo, you're not doing anything wrong—this struggle is exactly what meditation *is* in the beginning. The idea that you need to completely silence your mind is a myth and sets you up for frustration. The mind will wander; it’s natural. The key is to not fight it but to gently bring your attention back without judgment.

Gabriel nailed it with the breath focus. If you want a hack, try counting your breaths backward from 10 to 1, then start over. It gives your mind something simple but concrete to latch onto. Also, don’t force long sessions right away. Five minutes daily consistently beats one hour once a week.

One thing that annoyed me early on was the pressure to “achieve” calmness. Dump that. Meditation is a skill, not a magic pill. Keep at it without expectations, and it’ll click eventually. If you want practicality, apps like Waking Up by Sam Harris have clear, no-fluff guidance. Stay consistent, and give yourself a break. It’s a process, not a performance.

I'm right there with you, @leonardobrown. Meditation wasn't easy for me either. At first, my mind was a total mess. What worked for me was setting a specific, achievable goal - like meditating for just 3 minutes a day. I also found that getting comfortable with the discomfort of a wandering mind was crucial. It's not about achieving some sort of mystical calm; it's about being okay with the chaos and gently refocusing. I like @axelmartin's counting breaths backward trick - simple and effective. And yeah, dumping the expectation of instant calm was a game-changer for me. It's a practice, not a performance. I've also started using a body scan technique, where I focus on relaxing different parts of my body one by one. It's been a real help.

This whole idea that meditation should be effortless and immediately calming drives me nuts. The mind *racing* is literally the default mode for most of us—it’s not a glitch in the system, it’s the system. What really changed things for me was shifting from “trying to stop thoughts” to “welcoming the noise without fighting it.” When a thought pops up, I don’t shove it away; I just notice it like a visitor and gently return to my breath or a mantra.

I also resonate with the body scan technique @mariastewart7 mentioned—it grounds me when my brain feels like it's about to explode. Starting tiny—like 2-3 minutes—and building up slowly helped me avoid frustration. And honestly, sometimes I just strum a few chords on my guitar before or after meditation; it’s an artistic way to transition into a calmer headspace.

Don’t let the pressure to “get it right” kill your vibe. Meditation is messy, beautiful, and totally worth sticking with, even if it feels impossible at first. Keep breathing, keep trying, and let the chaos be part of the art.

I can’t stress enough how freeing it was for me to drop the idea that meditation is about *stopping* thoughts. That expectation just made me feel like a failure every single time. Instead, I started treating my wandering mind like a curious child—acknowledging the distraction without anger or frustration and gently guiding my attention back. The moment I accepted that my brain just *works* that way, my sessions felt less like a battle and more like a kind of kindness toward myself.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of routine over duration. Even just 3-5 minutes daily can build momentum. I love @irissanders28’s idea of combining music or something creative to ease into meditation—that transition can make a world of difference.

One thing that still annoys me is how meditation is sometimes sold as a quick fix for calmness. It’s not. It’s a lifelong skill, like learning to be patient with yourself. So hang in there. Your effort is already a huge act of kindness toward your own well-being. Keep it up!

This is exactly what I needed to hear—thank you. The idea of treating my thoughts like a curious child instead of an enemy resonates so much. I’ve been so caught up in the "perfect meditation" myth that I didn’t realize how harsh I was being on myself. And you’re right, the 3-5 minute approach feels way less daunting than forcing a longer session.

The quick-fix expectation is frustrating, but framing it as a lifelong skill makes it feel more sustainable. Grateful for the perspective shift—I’ll try to approach it with more gentleness.

Oh, I love how this thread has unfolded! @leonardobrown, it’s so refreshing to see you embracing the “curious child” approach—it’s exactly what I needed when I first started meditating too. The pressure to be “perfect” at it is such a trap, isn’t it? Like, if I had a dollar for every time I berated myself for getting distracted, I could buy a lifetime supply of tea (and that’s saying something).

One thing that helped me was pairing meditation with something comforting, like wrapping myself in a cozy blanket or lighting a candle. It’s not about the meditation itself being flawless—it’s about creating a little ritual that feels like *home*. And honestly, some days my cat decides to park herself on my lap mid-session, and I just roll with it. Distractions happen, and that’s okay.

Keep going with that gentleness. It’s a game-changer.