Finding Stillness in the Chaos: Your Accessible Guide to Meditation

Finding Stillness in the Chaos: Your Accessible Guide to Meditation

As I sit here writing this, a familiar feeling washes over me: "OMG, how am I going to fit it all in?" My calendar is packed, our family van trips fill every weekend, and while my daughter is at nursery, those precious five hours fly by. If I carve out time for myself, for yoga or training, which is a necessity. I’m left with just four hours. Factor in a quick lunch break (if I’m lucky!), and that dwindles to three. Sound familiar, mama? The emails, parent notifications, and social media pings flood in, and the digital demands slowly build, constantly pulling at your attention.

I get it. Being "on" all the time is utterly exhausting, leaving you feeling totally depleted. On the outside, people probably look at you and think you have it all together, effortlessly juggling your demanding career, family life, and everything in between. But inside, I know you might be teetering on the edge of burnout, battling that quiet, gnawing sense of never being "enough" for work, for your kids, for yourself.

Perhaps you’re well-versed in wellness trends. You might have heard about meditation, maybe even tried it a few times, but it just didn't "click." Did you find yourself fidgety, nervous, or completely disconnected? Worried you weren’t "doing it right," or that you simply didn't have the time? I mean, who does have time to sit in silence for two hours, especially with a little one? Definitely not me, and I’m guessing, not you either. It ends up feeling like just another daunting item on your never-ending to-do list - another thing to be productive at, another benchmark to be "enough" for.

Well, it’s time to change your perspective and bust that myth. I want to show you that simply by pausing, stilling everything for a moment, and being truly present, you are enough. Meditation isn't about endless hours of silent sitting. There's a powerful way to weave it into your life, making it accessible and real, and the benefits are truly profound for both you and your family.

This week, I want to redefine meditation. My goal is to ensure you leave this post feeling that meditation can absolutely fit into your life, rather than you trying to fit into its rigid perception. It's not another task; it's a profound path to genuine self-connection and sustainable energy.

In case you missed it, last week I shared my powerful MAGIC Morning framework. Over the next few weeks, I want to dive a little deeper into each element, showing how this simple practice can make a huge difference to your mornings, and indeed, your entire day. This week, we're exploring the 'M' in MAGIC: Meditation.

Redefining Meditation: It’s Not What You Think

Let’s be honest: the image of meditation often conjures up serene monks on mountaintops, or yogis folded into impossible poses for hours on end. For high-achieving mums like us, whose days are a whirlwind of client calls, pickup, dinner prep, and endless to-dos, that vision feels utterly out of reach. But I’m here to tell you, that’s not the whole story.

Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind completely – trust me, that’s a difficult, if not impossible, feat for even the most seasoned meditators! Our minds are designed to think, to wander, to plan. Nor is it about sitting rigidly for two hours (unless, of course, you genuinely want to!). My take on meditation, and what I want to share with you, is about cultivating awareness, noticing, observing, and gently returning to the present moment, again and again.

It’s about accessibility. Meditation can be one minute, five minutes, or ten. It can be done anywhere: while waiting for your cup of tea, during the kids’ quiet time, before a big meeting, or even while pushing the pram. It’s about finding those tiny pockets of stillness in your already full life and making them count.

This ties beautifully into something I love and try to live by: Deepak Chopra’s profound idea of "not doing." In a world obsessed with constant achievement, productivity, and pushing forward, the greatest power often lies in simply being. It's a radical act of pausing, observing, and allowing yourself to exist without striving, without a goal, without the need to prove anything. For mothers who are constantly "doing" for everyone else - managing careers, households, and childcare - this concept of "not doing" can feel incredibly liberating, offering a much-needed antidote to the relentless pressure we often put on ourselves. It’s a moment to simply breathe and remember that your worth isn’t tied to your output.

The Uncomfortable Truth: Resistance is Normal

If you’ve ever tried to meditate and felt a wave of restlessness, anxiety, or even irritation wash over you, let me reassure you: you are absolutely not alone. In fact, if it feels uncomfortable, you’re often doing it right. Our minds are busy places, constantly processing, planning, and reacting. When we try to introduce stillness, it’s like asking a fast-moving river to suddenly stop - there’s bound to be some resistance.

That fidgeting, the racing thoughts, the urge to just do something else - that’s the resistance, and it’s a completely normal part of the process. Some days, your meditation might feel effortless, a deep dive into peace. Other days, it might feel like a constant battle against your own thoughts, a frustrating exercise in distraction. Both experiences are perfectly normal and valid. It’s not a sign of failure; it’s simply part of the human experience.

I often think of wisdom from Jay Shetty here. He speaks beautifully about mindfulness and finding peace amidst our internal noise. He teaches that the journey of self-mastery often begins with self-awareness. When we sit with our discomfort in meditation, we’re not trying to get rid of it. We’re simply noticing it, acknowledging it, and then gently, compassionately, bringing our attention back to our breath or our chosen anchor. It’s about building the muscle of presence, one gentle return at a time. Jay Shetty reminds us that "The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude." And often, that change in attitude begins with accepting what is in this moment, even the discomfort.

Meditation as Your Digital Detox

In our hyper-connected world, the constant pull of digital devices is undeniable. For high-achieving mums, this means not only work emails and social media, but also school apps, endless WhatsApp groups, and the pressure to document every milestone. The endless scroll, the carefully curated feeds of "perfect" mothers, the pressure to always be "on" and responsive - it’s a cycle that often leaves us feeling drained, inadequate, and stuck in a spiral of comparison. The scroll, the compare, the constant feeling of falling short, it’s a real struggle, amplifying mum guilt and the feeling of never doing enough.

This is where meditation steps in as your most powerful digital detox. It’s a deliberate, conscious act of stepping away from external validation and comparison. When you choose to pause and turn inward, even for a few minutes, you are actively reclaiming your mental space from the incessant noise of the outside world. It’s an act of deep self-care and profound self-respect.

Meditation helps you return to yourself. It's a practice of quieting the external chatter so you can hear your own inner wisdom. This practice helps you cultivate a quiet confidence that emanates from within, rather than being dependent on likes, comments, or external achievements. It empowers you to honour your own needs and set boundaries, not with guilt, but with a deep sense of self-awareness and self-worth. It’s a true reset for your mind and spirit, allowing you to be more present with your children and truly enjoy those fleeting moments.

Practical Steps to Weave Meditation into Your Day

The good news? You don't need to overhaul your entire schedule or invest in fancy equipment to start experiencing the benefits of meditation. The power lies in consistency, even in small doses. I call these "micro-moments" of stillness, and they are incredibly impactful for busy lives like ours.

Here are some simple ways you can begin to weave accessible meditation into your day:

  • The 1-Minute Breath Check-in: Before you open your emails, pick up your phone, or start your first task of the day, take just one minute to simply focus on your breath. Notice the inhale, the exhale. It’s a powerful way to reset and anchor yourself before the demands of work and family pull you in a million directions.
  • Mindful Movement: Instead of rushing from one room to another, try walking mindfully. Notice the sensation of your feet on the floor, the swing of your arms, the feeling of your clothes against your skin. Even a walk to the kitchen to grab a snack for your little one can become a mini-meditation.
  • The 5-Minute Pause: Set a timer for 5 minutes during your lunch break, during nap time, or before you get out of bed. Find a quiet corner, put on a short guided meditation (like the one I’ve created for you this week!), and just allow yourself to be present.
  • Conscious Sips: When you’re enjoying your morning coffee or tea, truly savour it. Notice the warmth of the mug, the aroma, the taste. Engage all your senses. This simple act can transform a mundane moment into a mindful one.
  • Waiting Meditation: If you’re driving and hit a red light, or you’re stuck in a queue at the supermarket or during school pickup time, instead of reaching for your phone or letting frustration build, take a few deep breaths. Use that pause as an opportunity for stillness.

Remember, perfection is not the goal here. Consistency in these small, bite-sized moments will create a far greater impact than sporadic, long sessions that feel like a huge mountain you have to climb.

The Profound Payoffs: Beyond the Buzzwords

When I talk about the benefits of meditation, I’m not just talking about abstract concepts. For high-achieving mums who are on the edge of burnout, feeling disconnected from themselves, and grappling with that quiet sense of "not enough," the payoffs are tangible and life-changing.

Imagine:

  • Sustainable Energy: Moving beyond the constant caffeine highs and the rollercoaster of depletion. Meditation helps you tap into a deeper, more consistent wellspring of energy that fuels you from within, making it easier to keep up with both work and family.
  • Improved Self-Worth: Less reliance on external validation, less comparison to curated online lives. You start to truly believe you are enough, just as you are, without having to prove it constantly - to your boss, to your friends, or even to yourself as a mother.
  • Clearer, Firmer Boundaries: The quiet confidence that allows you to say "no" without guilt, to honour your own needs and capacity, knowing that protecting your energy is not selfish, but essential for both your well-being and your ability to show up for your family.
  • Reduced Overwhelm: A calmer nervous system, a less cluttered mind, and a greater ability to navigate the chaos of life with more ease and less reactivity, whether it's a work crisis or a toddler tantrum.
  • Genuine Self-Connection: Reconnecting with your intuition, your true desires, and the authentic woman beneath all the roles and expectations of career and motherhood.
  • A Quiet Confidence: A profound inner strength that allows you to show up authentically, leading with your true self rather than a façade of having it all together.

These aren't just buzzwords; they are profound shifts that can transform your daily experience and your entire life.

Conclusion & Your Next Step Towards Stillness

Meditation, in its most accessible form, is a powerful, transformative tool for navigating the intense demands of your life as a high-achieving mother. It’s about creating space for yourself, reconnecting with your inner wisdom, and reclaiming your power to thrive, not just survive.

Start small, be incredibly kind and compassionate with yourself, and trust the process. Every breath, every pause, every moment of "not doing" is a step towards a more centred, energetic, and authentically confident you.

Ready to take that first step? This week, I’ve created a special guided meditation, "Reclaiming Your Calm: A 10-Minute Pause for the Overwhelmed Woman," designed specifically for you. It’s real, it’s relatable, and it’s waiting for you.

  • Sign up for my Weekly Reset Email! You'll get bite-sized inspiration, mindful living tips, and be the first to know when new resources, like my guided meditations, are released. Sign up here
  • Share your "not doing" moments with me on Instagram! Use #StillnessInChaos and #ClareGent - I’d love to see how you’re weaving in your moments of peace amidst motherhood.
  • Join my community for more support and resources designed for women like you who are ready to move from burnout to brilliance: @clare_gent_yoga

You are worthy of this peace. Let’s reclaim it, together.