Starting a Meditation Practice You Will Actually Keep

Most abandoned meditation practices fail for practical reasons rather than philosophical ones. The sessions were too long, at the wrong time, or dependent on a mood that did not arrive.

Start shorter than feels worthwhile

Five minutes is enough to begin. It is short enough that skipping it cannot be justified, and that is the entire point in the first month.

Attach it to something you already do

Immediately after making tea, or immediately before opening a laptop. A practice tied to an existing habit survives; one that depends on finding a free moment does not.

Expect a wandering mind

Noticing that your attention has drifted and returning it is the practice. It is not evidence that you are doing it badly.

Keep the record simple

A tick on a calendar is enough. The aim is a visible run of days, not a detailed log.