Starting to Meditate - Five Minutes a Day
I am trying to practice mindfulness in my life, but it’s tough when I constantly keep myself occupied with so many projects and interests. The days fly by and I only get any real alone time in the bathtub and on walks.
So I have been trying to meditate each day for five minutes. I know that is a short time, but it’s a good start for me. I don’t think I could really sit there still with empty thoughts for an hour or even half hour at this time. So for me, five minutes is a triumph. 
I asked DH to do it with me each day. He figures he can take five minutes from his time to do something nice with me, so this was our third attempt today.
Each time I set up the timer for five minutes and sit quietly, I am surprised how quickly the time goes by. I always thought meditating would be soooo slooooooow and five minutes would seem like an hour.
So I am happy to report I am really enjoying this small time-out each day. I sit on a small pillow on my yoga mat, cross legged with my hands palm-up on my knees. Dan just sits near me and quietly stretches. I have a small Buddha set up nearby with some candles and incense, and also some smooth stones to hold if I want them.
I am thinking about making my own meditation pillow from some scrap fabrics at the thrift store, and also finding some meditation music to download.
Does anyone meditate? What do you do, set up, listen to, state at a candle, whatever? Eyes open, closed? Do you chant, think a mantra, try to empty your mind? Do you listen to music, have a sacred space set up, or combine meditation with yoga?
Or do people find the idea of meditating intimidating? I know I always did. That’s why I am am starting with small expectations. I want to set myself up for success.
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Love your idea of the pillow. I start with a prayer, as a Christian, then take my hearing aid out for total silence. I just sit on the couch and hold a seashell and run my fingers over it to focus. I do the “emptying your mind” type meditation. It has helped me with my long-suffering panic attacks that come out of nowhere. I have learned to meditate myself “down” from them, thus not needing xanax. (unless I am at a baseball game or other close quarters, then I need that xanax!)
I like to burn essential oils too, over a tea light, but not when meditating. I do that just while I’m on the computer at night and getting ready to turn in.