I really admire those people who can honestly say they’ve been meditating every day for 10 or 20 years without missing a single day. I’ve been meditating for 30 years, but I’ve never reached that level of consistency. I’ve had long stretches where I didn’t skip a day, but eventually, something trips me up, like having two young kids and interrupted sleep, and I start missing days here and there.
In some ways, this inconsistency might not seem like a big deal. I’ve made progress: I’m kinder, I’ve experienced various meditative states, and I’ve had powerful insights. But in other ways, it definitely does matter. When I meditate daily without fail, my practice really flourishes. Missing days makes my meditation feel routine and less impactful, and this lack of momentum affects my overall quality of life.
I think the key difference between those who meditate daily without fail and those who struggle is that the former group sees daily meditation as a fundamental part of their identity. It’s just what they do, no questions asked. Meanwhile, those of us who struggle with consistency often doubt our ability to maintain a daily practice, which undermines our efforts because of that very doubt.
How long do you have to meditate daily to develop unwavering confidence that it’s part of who you are? I’ve gone months without missing a day but then slip up after a particularly late night or early morning, reverting to irregular practice. This cycle of inconsistency feels all too familiar.
Lately, I’ve been using an affirmation to combat this doubt, and it might help you too. Try telling yourself: “I meditate every day. It’s just who I am. It’s what I do.” I’ve been repeating this throughout the day, even during meditation, because I believe thoughts introduced into a relatively calm mind have a stronger effect. Write the affirmation down somewhere you’ll see it often, like on your computer monitor or car dashboard.
Saying these words gives me a feeling of confidence and helps reshape my self-identity. By internalizing this affirmation, daily meditation becomes an integral part of who I am, not just another task to fit into my day.
This method has been helping me, though I can’t guarantee it will work for everyone. Consider it an experiment—it might help you too.
Despite the challenges, I know that even a brief 5 or 10-minute meditation is better than none and can still quiet my mind. Using tools like the Insight Meditation Timer on my phone has also helped me maintain regularity by offering social features and tracking my progress, which encourages me to keep going.
Remember, consistency in meditation, like many things, can be easier when done with others or when supported by the right tools. Everyone’s journey and circumstances are different, so finding what works for you is crucial. If affirmations or integrating meditation into daily activities help you maintain your practice, keep pursuing those methods.