How To Overcome The #1 Meditation Excuse

Read time: 3 minutes

Discover the secret to fitting meditation into your busy life, no matter how hectic it gets.

You're busy. I get it.

We all are. Work, family, friends, hobbies, and endless to-do lists. Where's the time for meditation?

But what if I told you that you don't need hours a day to benefit from meditation? That even a few minutes can change your life?

In this article, we'll break down the "I don't have time" excuse and show you how to make meditation a reality, no matter how hectic your life is.

The Busyness Trap

We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. We wear it like a badge of honour. We've bought into the myth that busyness equals importance.

But the truth is, this nonstop activity is killing us.

Consider this:

• Chronic stress is linked to the six leading causes of death, including heart disease and cancer
• Busyness leads to burnout, which costs companies billions in lost productivity each year
• A packed schedule leaves no room for reflection, growth, and deep, meaningful connections

We're so busy running around that we've forgotten how to connect with ourselves. And that's where meditation comes in.

Meditation is the antidote to the busyness epidemic. It's a way to slow down, quiet the noise, and connect with what matters most. And the best part? You don't need hours a day to reap the benefits.

Prioritising What Matters

When it comes to making time for meditation, it's crucial to ask yourself: how important is it, really? Is it a nice-to-have, or a non-negotiable?

Here's the thing: we make time for what matters most to us. If we're honest with ourselves, we'll admit that we find time for scrolling social media, binging Netflix shows, or checking emails. So, if you're struggling to find time for meditation, it's worth exploring why and how you can prioritise it in your life.

One powerful way to do this is by embracing the concept of essentialism, as described in Greg McKeown's book "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less."

McKeown argues that by focusing on what truly matters and eliminating the rest, we can create more time and energy for the things that bring us joy and fulfilment — like meditation.

So, how do you make meditation a priority when you have a million other things fighting for your attention? Start by getting clear on what matters most to you.

• What are your values and goals?
• How can meditation support you in living a life aligned with those values and goals?
• What can you let go of to create space for meditation?

We all have different circumstances, but if meditation is truly important to you, you'll find a way to make it happen.

The more you prioritise meditation, the more you'll see its benefits ripple out into every area of your life.

You'll be less reactive, more focused, and kinder. Meditation isn't just another task, but a transformative practice.

So, ask yourself: is meditation a necessity or a luxury? Only you can answer that.

If you're ready to live with more intention and purpose, it might be time to put meditation at the top of your priority list.

Making Time for Meditation

Do me a favour. Check your screen time settings on your phone. Assess how many hours you spend on entertainment and social media. The latest stats show that people spend an average of 4.5 hours per day on their smartphone.

If you can find time to scroll through social media, you can find time to meditate. It's about making time for what truly matters.

Consider this: a 24-hour day has 1,440 minutes. If you devote just 5 minutes of that to meditation, that's only 0.35% of your day. Less than half a percent! Isn't that incredible? When you break it down like that, it becomes clear that the "I don't have time" excuse is just that - an excuse.

Start small and build the habit over time. Find a time that works for you, whether it's first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or right before bed. Set a timer for just 5 minutes, and commit to showing up every day.

Want a more detailed breakdown of how to establish a meditation habit? Check out my recent article here.

Remember: you have time for what you make time for. You have the power to choose how you spend your minutes and your days.

The choice is yours. But the rewards of a consistent meditation practice are waiting for you. All you have to do is to get started.

To making a difference,

Dr Yannick

P.S. I currently don’t have any 5-minute guided meditation sessions, but I created a 7-minute mindfulness session for students at Griffith University a few years back. If you want to make the most of your time, consider doing this session.

P.P.S. If you really want a 5-minute guided meditation, shoot me an email and I’ll create one for you.