Why Most People Quit Meditation (And How to Keep Going)
Have you ever sat down to meditate and felt like you were doing it all wrong?
Frustration builds. Your mind won’t stop racing. You start to wonder if you’re wasting your time.
You’re not alone.
I’ve been practicing meditation for nearly 20 years, and I’ve spent 15 of those teaching it to other people.
Over and over, I see the same struggles—frustration, self-doubt, discomfort — come up.
These are the moments when most people give up.
Not because they’re failing, but because they don’t realize that these challenges are the practice.
So today, I’d like to discuss why most people quit meditation and give you some practical tips on how to stick with it when it gets tough.
Unrealistic Expectations
Meditation has a marketing problem.
Movies and pop culture have shown us endless images of cool Zen monks sitting serenely on remote mountaintops.
So when we come to our practice, we feel that by learning a few techniques, we too will be our pathway to instant Zen.
But unfortunately, meditation just doesn’t work like that.
Those calm, peaceful states will come. But they have to be earned through the process of showing up, again and again, especially when it’s hard.
So when you start meditating, expect some chaos. Your mind will be noisy. Your body might resist. But that’s normal.
Over time, as you stay with it, clarity and calm will start to emerge.
Self-Doubt
When you’re sitting there with your mind wandering all over the place, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing it wrong.
You might even think, “Maybe meditation just isn’t for me.”
This kind of doubt is something I hear from students all the time.
But please know that it’s not a sign that you’re failing. It’s a natural part of the process.
Meditation isn’t about having perfect focus or a completely quiet mind. The core of the practice is in showing up, noticing what’s happening, and learning to let go.
Sitting with your doubt instead of running from it builds resilience.
That resilience is the foundation of the transformation you’re looking for.
Physical Discomfort
Let’s be honest. For most of us, sitting still is anything but easy.
If you’re like most people, your body is tight and your posture habits probably aren’t doing you any favors either.
So when you sit down to meditate, discomfort will show up. Usually very quickly.
But instead of seeing this as a problem, I encourage you to work with it as a part of the process.
Discomfort invites you to pay more attention. Can you notice how it feels, how it changes, and what happens when you finally stop resisting it? Over time, discomfort can become one of the most powerful parts of your practice.
That said, preparation helps immensely, and Yin Yoga can be a game-changer for meditation practice.
By releasing deep physical tension and learning how to let go in your body, sitting still becomes far less of a challenge.
If you’re curious, I’ve got dozens of free Yin Yoga videos on my YouTube Channel to help you get started. I also go deep into this subject in my free course: The Embodied Mindfulness Method.
Impatience
Modern life has given us the attention spans of goldfish. (With no offense meant to our aquatic friends.)
In almost everything in life, we think that results should come quickly and that effort should be minimal.
Meditation directly contradicts this pattern. There are no real hacks or shortcuts. It has to be a long-term commitment.
Each session, even the tough ones, is slowly transforming you.
Think of it like learning an instrument. You wouldn’t expect to pick up a bass and play like Flea on day one, or even month one.
Meditation, like all practices, works the same way.
With each session, you are building your skills. Over time, the compound interest will accumulate, and it won’t feel like such a challenge anymore.
Practical Tips to Keep Going
So now that we’ve unpacked some of the why, here are a few strategies that can help you to stick with your meditation practice over the long term:
Start Small: Even a minute counts. It’s better to do a little every day than to aim for long sessions and burn out. As you learn to make the commitment, it will be easier to naturally find time for longer sessions.
Tie It to a Routine: Anchor your meditation to something you already do daily without thinking of it. Think of things like drinking your morning coffee or brushing your teeth. What routine can you add your meditation practice into?
Use Guided Meditations: Guided meditations can be a helpful tool, especially when you’re feeling stuck. But try to mix them with self-guided practice to build independence.
Relax the Body First: Practices like Yin Yoga or even a short walk can help prepare your body and mind for stillness. Please see my YouTube channel if you need a place to start.
Why It Matters
Meditation isn’t about escaping your life. It’s about learning how to show up fully for it.
It’s about reconnecting with what matters most. Not by changing your circumstances but by changing how you relate to them.
Over time, your practice will teach you how to let go of stress, cultivate clarity, and meet challenges steadily.
Each of these small, daily efforts adds up. Each session is a step toward finding balance, and becoming the person who faces life with resilience and presence.
What have been the biggest challenges—or breakthroughs—in your meditation practice?
Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your story.
If you’re ready to take your practice deeper, check out my free course, The Embodied Mindfulness Method. It combines meditation and Yin Yoga to help you stay consistent and unlock these benefits.
For even more support, my Embodied Mindfulness Membership offers weekly live sessions, a full library of recorded practices, and a community of like-minded practitioners. It’s a space to deepen your practice and stay inspired.
