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The renoo mindfulness journal

When Meditation Can Sometimes Feel Like a Waste of Time

When Meditation Can Sometimes Feel Like a Waste of Time

by Ray Jolicoeur, founder of renoo meditation goods, and meditation instructor.

Meditation can be a powerful ally when you’re feeling overwhelmed by too many tasks and responsibilities, but it’s important to acknowledge that it can feel counterintuitive—and even a little scary—for some people. I know when my to-do list is a mile long, the idea of sitting still and doing “nothing” might seem like the last thing I should do. It can trigger anxiety, making me feel like I'm falling behind. But that’s exactly why meditation is so beneficial in these moments.

Rather than wasting time, meditation actually helps create mental space. It allows us to step back from the chaos swirling in our mind and take a breath. When you’re caught in the whirlwind of responsibilities, everything can feel urgent, but by meditating, you start to see that not everything requires immediate attention. This reduces the mental load and helps you prioritize what really matters.

Meditation also calms the body’s stress response. When you’re overwhelmed, your body goes into a “fight or flight” mode, making it harder to think clearly and stay productive. Taking just a few moments to meditate switches your nervous system into a calmer state, where stress hormones like cortisol decrease. This shift gives you the mental clarity and emotional calm needed to approach your responsibilities with more ease.

So much to do, so little time!

It’s completely understandable that sitting still can seem counterproductive when there’s so much to do. But meditation actually trains your mind to focus on one thing at a time, which helps you concentrate and avoid the temptation to multitask. By slowing down and meditating, you improve your ability to focus and work more efficiently, instead of feeling scattered and spread thin.

For some, the act of slowing down can be uncomfortable because it brings up all the emotions tied to overwhelm—feelings of inadequacy, fear of failure, or self-criticism. Meditation helps you face these feelings with compassion and clarity. It also allows you to prioritize more effectively, so you can let go of the unrealistic pressure to get everything done at once. The clarity that emerges from meditation makes it easier to decide what’s most important and what can wait, reducing the sense of being pulled in a million directions.

Meditation also builds emotional resilience, which is crucial when you’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s not just the tasks themselves that can feel heavy—it’s our emotional reaction to them. Regular meditation helps you become more grounded and less reactive, so that even when you’re faced with a long list of responsibilities, you’re less likely to feel emotionally drained by them.

This practice also sharpens your self-awareness, helping you catch signs of overwhelm before they spiral out of control. It’s like a mental check-in that allows you to recalibrate and avoid burnout. And because meditation encourages compassionate self-talk, it helps soften that inner critic. Instead of berating yourself for not doing enough, you can recognize your efforts and release some of the pressure you’re putting on yourself.

Still feeling anxious about meditating?

If you're like me and the thought of sitting in silence still feels overwhelming, try starting small. A quick “pause and breathe” exercise can work wonders. When you feel like you’re drowning in responsibilities, take three slow, deep breaths and observe your mental state. This tiny reset can be enough to shift your mindset and bring a little calm to your day.

Even though it might feel strange or scary at first, incorporating a regular meditation practice—just five to ten minutes a day—can help you handle life’s demands with more ease. Over time, you’ll find yourself approaching busy times with a greater sense of calm, focus, and control, even when things feel overwhelming.

Do you feel sometimes that meditation may be a waste of time?

 

Photo credit: Ray Jolicoeur 

Artist: Carole A. Feuerman

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