My Story

I dabbled in meditation occasionally over the years, perhaps once or twice a year, and the practice took root in a real way in January 2026. Like breathwork, I came to it through the Open app, whose guided meditations range from five to fifteen minutes and are woven into my morning ritual alongside breathing and movement.

What works for me with the Open app's approach is the variety. Some meditations are visualization-based, inviting you to picture yourself in different environments. Others are narrative — historical stories or reflections on specific emotions — told in a calm, unhurried voice. There is no single format and that flexibility has kept me engaged.

Meditation now occupies fifteen to thirty minutes of my two to three hour morning self-care practice. I have also begun using the app's evening meditations before sleep. As someone who has struggled with serious insomnia for years and now experiences it intermittently, I can say with confidence that these nighttime practices have made a meaningful difference. They quiet the nervous system and prepare the body for rest in a way that is genuinely effective.

Supplies

1. Phone. I have found using a meditation app for guidance to be helpful. There are free and paid options available.

2. A place to comfortably lie down such as a bed, sofa, or yoga mat or a place to comfortably sit up such as a chair, sofa or yoga mat