Meditation: The Practice That Helped Me Rebuild My Mind
I was first introduced to the idea of meditation when I was 23 years old. I was working a stressful corporate job, and a colleague noticed how overwhelmed I was. He sent me a link to an app called Headspace and gently suggested I try it.
At the time, I didn’t take it seriously. I think I meditated maybe twice that whole year.
Then 2020 happened. COVID hit, my life unraveled, and so did my mental health. It was the darkest time of my life. I had lost almost everything, and I was desperate for something—anything—that could help.
That same app, Headspace, was offering six months free to people who had lost their jobs. I downloaded it again, figuring I had nothing to lose. What started as a last-resort attempt to feel better slowly became something I clung to every single morning.
Once I subscribed, the app gave me a new playlist of meditations and videos each day. Some days, I’d listen to gentle words of encouragement. Other days, I’d watch short animations that used visuals—like the life cycle of a pine tree—to teach about impermanence and the idea that everything is always changing. These messages brought me so much hope, and many mornings, they were the only thing that helped me feel grounded.
Eventually, I got consistent. I meditated nearly every day for six months. And I genuinely believe my mental health improved because of it.
Meditation taught me the importance of stillness—something that’s so easy to lose in a loud, overstimulated world. And contrary to the popular belief, meditation isn’t about clearing your mind or being perfectly calm. It’s about becoming aware of your thoughts without judgment, and gently bringing yourself back to the present moment. Over time, it trains your nervous system to respond instead of react.
There’s real science behind this. Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus and memory, support emotional regulation, and even rewire the brain through neuroplasticity. It doesn’t just feel good—it’s actually changing the way your body and mind process stress.
Headspace made all of this accessible for me. It’s beautifully designed, easy to use, and offers something for everyone—whether you need help sleeping, managing anxiety, navigating grief, or just taking a mindful moment in the middle of your day.
They’ve even expanded to offer therapy through their Care program, with or without insurance. I’m currently working with a therapist I found through that platform, and it’s been one of the best and easiest mental health decisions I’ve made.
If you’re curious, I’m sharing a free 30-day Headspace trial here.
I don’t earn anything from this—it’s not an ad or a partnership. I just genuinely want more people to feel what I’ve felt.
And if you’re wondering how to even start meditating, here’s what helped me:
Getting Started with Meditation
Start with just 3–5 minutes a day — consistency is more important than duration
Sit comfortably (you don’t need to sit cross-legged or on the floor)
Close your eyes and focus on your breath
Use a guided app like Headspace to support you
Expect your mind to wander — it’s normal
Gently bring your attention back when it does
Let go of the idea of doing it “perfectly” — just keep showing up
Meditation has been life-changing for me, and I’m so grateful for the people and platforms that make this practice more accessible. I’m trying to do the same in my own way—by sharing what helped me heal, in hopes it might help you too.
Thanks for reading. I really hope you give it a try.
— MM
