Discovering Your Ideal Meditation Style

I'm a busy mom with a brain that runs at 100 miles per hour. I have a to-do list that never ends, a child who needs me, a day job I care about, and a business I'm building. Sitting still and thinking about nothing? Yeah, right.

But here's what I learned: meditation isn't about emptying your mind. It's about noticing what's in it. And there are about a million different ways to do it—including ways that work for people like us.

Why Traditional Meditation Didn't Work for Me

I tried the "classic" meditation approach—you know, the one you see in movies. Sit quietly, focus on your breath, clear your mind. And every time, within 30 seconds, I'd be thinking about what to make for dinner, whether I sent that email, if I paid the hydro bill, and did I remember to move the laundry to the dryer?

I thought I was failing at meditation. Turns out, I was just doing the wrong type of meditation for my personality.

Different Meditation Styles for Different Humans

Here are the styles I've tried (and which ones actually worked for me as a busy, practical, overthinker who lives in Ontario and drinks way too much Tim Hortons).

1. Guided Meditation (My Gateway Drug)

What it is: Someone talks you through the meditation with instructions and visualizations. You just follow along.

Why it worked for me: My brain needs something to focus on. When someone's guiding me, I don't have to worry about "am I doing this right?" I just listen and follow.

Best for: Beginners, overthinkers, people who like structure. Try YouTube (search "guided meditation for anxiety" or "guided meditation for sleep") or apps like Insight Timer (free!).

2. Walking Meditation (My Favourite)

What it is: You walk slowly and pay attention to the sensation of your feet touching the ground, the movement of your body, the sounds around you.

Why it worked for me: I don't have to sit still! I can do this on my lunch break, around my neighbourhood, or even through the grocery store parking lot. Movement helps me focus.

Best for: Restless people, anyone who feels antsy sitting still, people who like being outside. Pro tip: I do this at the Niagara Parkway when I need to reset.

3. Body Scan Meditation (Perfect Before Bed)

What it is: You mentally "scan" your body from head to toe, noticing tension and sensations without trying to change them.

Why it worked for me: It gives my busy brain a specific task (notice your left shoulder, now your right hip, now your toes). Plus, it helps me realize how much tension I'm holding.

Best for: People with chronic tension, anyone who struggles with sleep, those who need concrete focus points. I do this in bed when I can't shut my brain off.

4. Breath Counting (Simple but Not Easy)

What it is: You count your breaths. Inhale (one), exhale (two), inhale (three), exhale (four). When you get to ten, start over. When your mind wanders, start over.

Why it worked for me: It's deceptively simple, which means I can do it anywhere—waiting in line, sitting in my car, lying in bed. No app needed.

Best for: Minimalists, people who don't want to use apps, those who like having something specific to do. Warning: you'll lose count a lot. That's normal.

5. Visualization (Daydreaming with Purpose)

What it is: You imagine a peaceful scene in vivid detail—a beach, a forest, a cozy cabin. You engage all your senses (what do you see, hear, smell, feel?).

Why it worked for me: My brain loves stories and images. This feels less like "meditation" and more like a mini mental vacation. I picture sitting by Lake Ontario on a calm day—works every time.

Best for: Visual thinkers, creative people, anyone who gets stressed by "emptying the mind." This is essentially guided daydreaming, and it's lovely.

How to Figure Out Your Style

Okay, so with all these options, how do you know which one is right for you? Here's what I recommend:

Try each one for a week. Don't judge it after one try. Give each style 5-7 days to see how it feels.
Notice what feels natural. If you're constantly fighting a style, it's not the right one. Meditation should feel like a relief, not a chore.
Mix and match. I do walking meditation during the day and body scans at night. You don't have to pick just one.
Start short. Two minutes is enough. You can build up later. Most people quit because they try to do 20 minutes right away.

What Meditation Actually Feels Like

Here's what nobody told me: meditation doesn't feel like bliss or enlightenment (at least not at first). Mostly, it feels like noticing how busy your brain is. You think about your grocery list, your kid's homework, the weird thing your coworker said, whether you locked the door...

And that's okay. That's actually the whole point. You're not trying to stop thinking. You're practicing noticing when your mind wanders and gently bringing it back. That's the meditation.

Over time, that practice of "noticing and returning" starts showing up in the rest of your life. You notice when you're getting stressed. You notice when you're holding your breath. You notice when you need to pause. And slowly, you start making different choices.

My Honest Recommendation

If you're brand new to meditation, start with guided meditation. Find a voice you like on YouTube or a free app. Try it for just 3 minutes before bed for one week. That's it.

If you already tried guided meditation and hated it, try walking meditation. Take a 5-minute walk and just pay attention to your feet touching the ground. See how that feels.

And if you're still not sure, that's what I'm here for. Let's figure out what works for your brain, your schedule, and your life. Because meditation isn't one-size-fits-all, and you deserve to find the version that actually helps you.

Want personalized guidance finding your meditation style? I work with folks right here in Niagara (and virtually) to explore different practices and find what resonates. No incense required.

Finding Your Meditation Style (When You're Not the "Om" Type)