For the past few years, especially since the rise of social media, I have noticed a shift. People have grown weary of the hustle and bustle of the Internet Age and are opting to step away from the digital world to focus on things that matter. For me, meditation and mindfulness used to be buzz words that spooky or new-aged thinkers used to cover up their lack of love for prayer or religion. I used to have the idea that unless I was a Buddhist or a world-renowned Yogi, meditation was a far-fetched idea and the results people said it brought would not be my results. I was wrong.

For the past year, I’ve been more intentional about my mindset. I pay attention to the things I think, feel, hear and speak. After a two-week trip to Thailand where I immersed in another culture, I decided to give meditation a try. I had a conversation with a Chaing Mai local about meditation and how the practice worked for him. He told me that he too was a skeptic. He thought it rubbish to breathe and to connect with his inner self for peace. Until he tried it. Now, he said his practice of meditation has changed his life. As a Buddhist, he fasts regularly and appreciates the benefits that meditation has given him. Furthermore, he told me that if I would take the time to silence my mind and become aware of myself as a being, I’d start to notice a change.

When I landed back in the United States, my mission was to start implementing education in my daily self-care and spiritual practice. I didn’t know where to start, so I went to Google. Since adding meditation into my routine, in just a few weeks I’ve noticed that my mood is stable, my emotions are in tune, and I am more aware of my presence in the world. That may not seem like much to some, but to me, its everything.

If you are a meditation skeptic like I once was, here are three easy things you can do to jumpstart your journey to reaping the benefits of meditation.

1. Download an app like Calm or Breethe.

These apps work wonders for beginners and even for experienced meditators. You can choose guided meditations that help you fall into the flow of breathing and focusing your attention on specific intentions. Or you can choose to listen to mood and ambiance sounds or songs to relax your mind and to give you all the feels. It’s your choice.

I have found it helpful to use the guided meditations since I’m getting into the swing of it all. And when I work, I play the sounds of rain or a flowing stream to keep me relaxed and calm. You have to decide what’s best for you. If you have no clue where to start, just pick an intention and select a guided meditation to take you there.

2. Set ten minutes aside each day to journal your thoughts and feelings about life.

Great things happen when you write them down. One of the tricks of being more aware of yourself and how you impact the world around you is tapping into your thoughts and feelings. The more you write, the more you’ll realize some of the patterns of thinking, doing and being that may be holding you back from living your life full out.

Don’t try to be fancy and aim to write a thesis statement. Just write what comes to you. Don’t focus on having the perfect grammar and punctuation either. Just be present at the moment and allow your soul to pour itself out on a few blank pages.

3. Work on your meditation routine at the same time each morning or night.

Some things are best executed when there is a routine in place. Meditation is one of them. Now, although I’ve been at it for over a month now, I make it a habit to get my meditation in at the start of my day, literally before I start doing anything, and when it’s time to get to sleep for the night. When I feel my energy shifting or when it’s hard for me to focus on things, I will plug into a quick five-minute meditation to get me back on track.

As busy people, we have to be mindful of where we spend our time. We cannot make more of it, but we can prioritize where we spend it. Whatever time of the day is your optimal time for self-calibration, add in a few minutes to get in your mindfulness practice.