Meditation

I only decided to try meditation when I reached a very low point in my career and didn't know if I could carry on as a teacher. I knew that something had to change but I didn't have the confidence to leave. I decided to work on my mental health instead and I was desperate enough to give meditation a try. At first I used five minute guided meditations to help me. I wasn't very consistent but over time, I found that I was doing it most days. I didn't always feel the benefits in the moment but I started to realise that I was less reactive in my daily life. I was able to take a tiny breath before coming back with a comment. I stopped absorbing all the anger or frustration or upset of people around me, particularly my pupils. This meant that I could show up for them as a regulated person and help them to ride out their emotions. This was a game changer for me and I started to commit to meditation as a daily practice. I only do ten minutes in the morning but I miss it if I can't do it first thing. I have realised that I don't have to shut down my thoughts. I can just become aware of them and let them pass through my mind. The more aware I become, the more I am training my mind. I still have days when my mind feels very busy but for me, meditation is always worth doing.