I’ve always admired the few people I know who can honestly say they’ve been meditating for 10 or 20 years without missing a day. I’ve been meditating for 30 years, but maintaining such consistency has always been a challenge for me. I’ve had stretches where I didn’t miss a day for several months, but eventually, life catches up, and I miss a few days here and there. Having two young kids and often interrupted sleep doesn’t help either.
In some respects, this irregularity might not be a big deal. I’ve made progress over the years: I’m kinder, and I’ve experienced various meditative states, including the jhānas. I’ve also had some powerful insights. However, there’s no denying that when I meditate daily without fail, my practice flourishes. Missing days causes the quality of my meditation to decline, I lose momentum, and it starts to feel more like upkeep than growth. Consequently, my overall quality of life suffers.
I believe the difference between those who meditate every day without exception and those who don’t is that the former group sees daily meditation as an integral part of their identity. It’s something they do naturally, without having to think about it. On the other hand, those who struggle with consistency view daily meditation as an achievement that’s always just out of reach. This lingering doubt makes it even harder to build a regular practice because it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
How long do you have to meditate daily before it turns into an unshakable habit, a part of who you are? I’ve gone months without missing a day, but one late night and an early start can make me falter.
If this struggle resonates with you, I recently started using an affirmation that has been helping me, and it might help you too. Try repeating to yourself: “I meditate every day. It’s just who I am. It’s what I do.” It’s simple but effective. I’ve been repeating this to myself throughout the day, even during meditation, because I believe thoughts introduced into a relatively calm mind have a greater impact. Say these words before bed, write them down, or leave a note on your computer or car dashboard as a reminder.
Repeating this affirmation has been building my self-expectation to meditate daily. It’s no longer an extra task but a part of my identity. While I can’t guarantee it will work for everyone, it has certainly made a difference for me. Consider it an experiment that might benefit you as well.