Over the past two weeks I have tried to get into meditation by using the app Headspace. I have never been a fan of meditation, but I have been continually told of it’s benefits from family, friends and healthcare professional. I have a lot of trouble sitting still and I knew I wanted to improve, plus the app was free – so what did I have to loose.

The Experience:

My goal was to use the app for two weeks, complete a guided meditation everyday right before bed and hopefully become a new person. I started off strong, taking part in the guided mediation for the first 4 days right on schedule. Was it enjoyable? not really, as I mentioned before I wasn’t the biggest fan of meditation or the idea of sitting still for a long period of time. But I also knew that I was never going to be able to better myself without a little bit of a challenge.

Day 5 is the first day I missed in my challenge, I don’t even remember why I was busy with school or life, which looking back on it meant it was probably the perfect day for me to take 10 minutes and breath.

The next road bump was when I hit day 10, thats when I realized my 10 day trial was over, probably something I should have looked into before I started this challenge. I decided to just repeat the exercises for the remaining 4 days.

My Thoughts:

So my goals for head space where as follows –

use the app for two weeks, complete a guided meditation everyday right before bed

I was pretty successful with this goal, I only missed one of 14 days which is 93%, not too bad. I also managed to use the app at the same time every night, which allowed me to calm down right before bed and fit nicely into my routine. I don’t think I would of been able to do it if I had picked another time of the day, so if you are trying something new and challenging make sure it fits into your schedule and routine!

My next goal was to become a better person

Well this goal was a little broad (Maybe I also need to work on setting realistic goals). Am I a better person? maybe. Do I have new appreciation for meditation? yes. While I don’t think I will be keeping Headspace as part of my daily routine after this experience, I do have a deeper appreciation for those who meditate regularly, and I’m more likely not to make a look of disgust when someone say meditation anymore.

If you are looking for a more in-depth review of the app check out the Psyber Guide.

dating sucks. If the date goes well, it can be exciting, if it goes bad, you start to reassess everything in your life. In order to keep your head on straight I have a few suggestions.

Know what you want: Know what you are looking for before you start this adventure, be truthful with yourself about what you need, want and can maintain in terms of a relationship at this time in your life. Also if you don’t know what you want thats okay too, don’t try to force yourself into one category

Date yourself too: Make sure you are spending the same amount of time with yourself, if not more. Sure other people are cool, and as cliche as it sounds you should really know yourself before you can know someone else

R-E-J-E-C-T-I-O-N: Ahh the worst part of dating, finally finding someone who you like, ticks a few of the boxes and then nothing. It will happen. The key to dealing with this is all in how you react. The thing with rejection is that it can make you feel like you are less than all the amazing things that you are. My suggestion is to put on some Lizzo, go back to the previous two steps and then move on to bigger and better things.

Manage Expectations: This is a big one, especially for me. Be realistic about what’s going on in the present, stop looking into things so much, stop planning for the future. It’s easy to get sweet up in a moment and also compare every date and every person to what came before. Stay focused, what’s in the past in there for a reason. Embrace the new for good or the bad, and don’t get too wrapped up in it all (remember step 2).