You've probably heard that meditation can be really freaking good for you. From reducing stress to making you smarter, the benefits of incorporating meditation into your life sound great. However, when it comes to actually trying it, the idea can be overwhelming.
Thankfully, it's pretty easy to get started, and you don't have to be good at it from the beginning. (It is, after all, called a practice.) And with countless apps out there to help make it easier, even just five minutes of meditation per day can make a difference.
If you're trying meditation for the first time—or trying to get back into the habit—you know it's not all "om" and blissful emptiness. In fact, we're pretty sure you might even have one (or all) of these thoughts when you give it a try.
1. This is going to be so easy.
2. Do I keep my eyes open or closed?
3. Oh god, should I read more about it now? Or later?
4. Has it been five minutes yet? I'm getting tired.
5. I remember that one time, eight years ago, when I made that really awful comment. What if everyone hates me, and I just don't know it?
6. That it's tooo laaaaaaaaaate, it's tooo laaaaaaate. Said it's too late to apologizeeeeee, it's too laaaaaaate.
7. Why hasn't the timer gone off yet?

8. Is that... is that smell me?
9. Oh my god, I want pancakes. Lots and lots of pancakes.
10. I just need to focus. Focus. I can do this. Focus. Ommmm.
11. Did I leave the stove on? I definitely left something on.
12. Whoops, lost my focus. Again.
13. OH MY GOD IT'S OVER.
14. ... OK, but I'm basically a zen god now. I need to do this every day.
Regardless of what you're thinking while meditating, remember that it's definitely OK for your mind to wander. Meditation isn't just about relaxing or finding a sense of calm. Be gentle with yourself, guide your thoughts back to where you *want* to focus, and keep practicing. You don't have to be good at it to enjoy some great benefits.
Jandra Sutton is an author, historian, and public speaker. She lives in Nashville with her husband and their two dogs, and Pluto is still a planet in her heart. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.