Browse
Top articles
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Try free for 7 days.
How to Meditate: Meditation 101 for Beginners
10 Science-Backed Benefits of Meditation
What is Meditation?
Benefits of Mindfulness: Mindful Living Can Change Your Life
Mindfulness 101: A Beginner's Guide
If we’ve learned anything from 2020, it’s that plan A isn’t always an option.
And for many of us, plans B and C have been turned upside down, too. We’re certainly learning resilience.
It can feel frustrating when we want nothing more than to experience ease and joy, but life keeps throwing curveballs filled with uncertainty or disappointment.
“Why does it have to be so hard?”
“What am I supposed to do now?”
“I just want to feel happy.”
If you’re feeling unsettled right now, try this calming meditation from our co-host, Melli O’Brien.
Most goals are challenging at first because we don't have the neural infrastructure (thought patterns and belief systems) to support them yet. Our brains haven’t adjusted to the new way of thinking and behaving, so no matter how much we want the new behavior, our brains are actually quite resistant. At first.
For example, you might make swift progress toward your goal, but then plateau. Or maybe you’ll see no progress for quite a while and then suddenly experience a surge of momentum, followed by three steps backwards. This is a very common change pattern, so please be compassionate with yourself.
I define joy as a sustained sense of well-being and internal peace – a connection to what matters.
If you’re encountering the awkward bumps that tend to emerge at the start of any change process, you might feel irritation or even a deep sadness.
In those moments, try asking yourself, “What would a happy person say or do?”
Initially, this might feel slightly uncomfortable or completely insincere. Be with that, and keep reflecting on the question. Try to imagine a time when you were happy, and then bring that energy into this moment. Or visualize a deeply happy person and then consider how they would respond, if they were faced with the situation you’re in.
Many of us have learned to focus on what’s wrong in the world around us, and while there can be value in this, overly fixating on the negative is a guaranteed path away from happiness. Because actively cultivating happiness contradicts most people’s conditioning, it will probably be quite challenging to start. That’s understandable.
As you continue to approach the question with curiosity and a strong intention to find an honest and supportive answer, you’ll start to reshape your brain’s infrastructure and create new neural pathways for your happiness habit.
Practice this, this week. The next time you feel challenging emotions bubble up, first, remind yourself, “These feelings are showing me something. It’s okay to feel this.” and then ask yourself, “How would a happy person think and act in this situation?” Notice what happens.
Email Missing
We couldn’t detect your email with the SSO provider you have selected.We are here to make a positive impact on the world. We never want to sell you something that hasn’t helped you live a better life. That’s why if you’re unhappy with any purchase from us, you have 30 days to get a full refund and your money back.
If you subscribed to Mindfulness Plus+ and are unhappy with your purchase, please get in contact with us within the 30-day period and we’ll refund your purchase.
Learn more about our Mindfulness Guarantee.
Mindfulness
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Private Browsing
We believe in a world where everybody has access to the life-changing skills of mindfulness.
Annual membership
$0
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
This is the app I turn to when I want to feel calm and loved.
- Abby
Melli has a beautiful way of guiding and reminding us of the stillness within.
- Adrienne James
I have been on a journey of healing and learning self-love. Amidst the work, I have been using the mindfulness app for the gentle reminders, guides to the moment (especially the difficult ones).
Kelly Boys offers a fresh and illuminating take on how to step out of lifelong patterns that keep snagging us.
- Tara Brach, PhD
Truly life changing. This isn't solely meditation and mindfulness...this is about striving to be the best the versions of ourselves.
- Marisa, Plus+ Member
Relaxing and assuring beyond description... thank you, Cory.
- Babs312
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Shamash's guidance is a gift of wisdom to help us in our busy and stressful lives.
- Paul Gilbert, PhD, FBPsS, OBE, Centre for Compassion Research and Training, University of Derby, United Kingdom
Excellent! Cory gently guides you into internal peace.
- Steve Ericson
A necessary tool for those who feel lost.
- Piper
Just want to say a big thankyou to all involved as this has had a positive impact in my daily life 🙏 Valuable teachings that have allowed me to have a better relationship not only with those around me, but with myself. Heal ourselves and we heal the world 💫✨🌍
- Marty
I start every day with Cory or Melli for my daily practice. Including this app into my practice helps me continue to build more mental focus and understanding of my thought processes. What a welcome and powerful gift.
- Oku
Thank you for joining us
Dive into the full library and enjoy all it has to offer!
Download the #1 App for Self-Care
Get the full Mindfulness.com experience by entering your email below and we’ll send you an email to get you started.
You’ll pay $0 today to experience:
Download the #1 App for Self-Care
Get the full Mindfulness.com experience by entering your email below and we’ll send you an email to get you started.
You’ll pay $0 today to experience:
Mindfulness
One membership to gain access to a world of premium mindfulness content created to help you live happier and stress less.