Discovering the Siesta
When I took a trip to Spain about a year ago, I was in disbelief as I witnessed the busy streets suddenly go quiet in the afternoon. It was confusing to see businesses close and restaurants pause their service for the day, especially coming from a bustling city in the US where every waking minute of the day is seen as another opportunity to seize.
I soon realized that the country’s “siesta” custom was not merely a myth. It made me wonder how people can be so comfortable with taking a full pause in the middle of their day.
Building Better Habits
We live in a world where the pace never seems to slow down and the pressures seem to multiply by the day, which means that taking care of our mental health is more crucial than ever. Though taking a vacation or temporary break from our day-to-day may feel amazing, it is important for us to build habits that create a life we don’t feel the need to to escape from.
Meditating is something that I constantly hear being recommended, but for me, it never came naturally.
The idea of sitting still and quieting my mind felt like an impossible task, especially with the constant distractions and mental noise that crowded my thoughts. In our society, we will never have a shortage of chaos.
Therefore, it is up to us to learn how to build resilience. This doesn’t mean that our life’s stressors are removed, but it simply means we can build practices that make us view our challenges with a perspective that allows us to maintain our peace.
Creating pockets of stillness allows us to handle our chaos much more effectively, and not let it run our brains to burnout.
Becoming Consistent
So, I decided to give meditation a try that was more consistent, instead of a sporadic practice.
Instead of seeking out the perfect environment or waiting for the ideal moment, I challenged myself to meditate right in the midst of my busy life. I started with just a few minutes each day, finding a space alone, a moment in my car, or simply closing my eyes wherever I was.
At first, it was difficult. My mind raced with thoughts of what I needed to do, and what the next task on the calendar was. Luckily, Quabble made it easier. Because you can control how much or how little time you spend on Quabble, incorporating it into my daily routine was pretty seamless.
I figured if I can burn time scrolling through Instagram, then I should have no problem clicking an app over to do “1 min Breathing” or a 3 minute “Mindful Meditation.”
The Mental Shift That Comes With Meditation
Now, meditation has become an integral part of my daily routine. Slowly but surely, I started to notice a shift in my mindset. I felt calmer, more centered, and better equipped to handle whatever life threw my way. It’s not always easy, and there are still days when my mind feels like a whirlwind of activity.
But the lessons I’ve learned from embracing stillness in the midst of a fast-paced world have allowed me to be more present. I’ve discovered that true peace comes not from escaping the chaos, but from finding stillness within it.
So, if you’re like me and struggle to slow down in a world that never stops moving, I encourage you to give meditation a try.
Start small
Be patient
Remember that even a few minutes of stillness can transform your day.
Let's take a cue from the Spaniards and weave a bit of siesta magic into our lives. Dare to slow down in a world that never stops.
