5 Things I Learned By Sitting Still. Meditation > Anxiety

I'm happy to report we are home safe in Los Angeles. Over the last 3 weeks, I've eaten breakfast in the Grand Canyon with a herd of elk, attended a memorial to celebrate a long life, and volunteered at an event in Charlottesville to fight for families to stay together (regardless of where they're from). I've driven through an active forest fire, hiked the mountains in Park City, and attended my first ever Cirque Du Soleil show in Vegas (Michael Jackson ONE is unbelievably impressive, go see it). 

However, the biggest and more rewarding challenge of the entire trip was the driving. The sitting. Still. For at least 8 hours a day.

I have to admit, I was concerned. I'm a naturally active person, and have a history of getting restless easily. It was just my husband, me, and our dogs for 3 weeks in a car.  And we had a finite number of songs to listen to. How would we entertain ourselves and each other for that long?

I shocked myself by getting through it with minimal discomfort. To my surprise, instead of restless legs, I stumbled upon (and fell into) lots of space and time to face the things I'd usually blow past.

To recognize the things I think I need, and actually don't.

To acknowledge and marvel at the amazing man sitting next to me.

To see that I can break my own rules if they no longer suit me.

To face and heal internal hurts I had ignored so long, I forgot they were there.

To find the words for new, painful, and beautiful realizations.

I had nothing to do to distract (or save) me, and I'm better for it. I've returned home with more room to breathe - more freedom.

Sitting still, even for a few minutes, can help you in big ways you don't expect. It's a gift you can give yourself. My consistent meditation helps me by reducing the effects of lifelong anxiety. But that's a story for another time. :) 

How do you feel about sitting still? What reservations do you have about meditation?  What do you think 10 minutes of stillness could do for you every day? I'd love to hear it all. Send me a message through my website, or email me directly: emily@ek.coach. Thanks for reading!