meditate in public

you say you don't care what other people think. let's test that. go to a busy park, a coffee shop, or a shopping mall. sit down in full lotus position. close your eyes. meditate for 10 minutes. see how that feels.

the real meditation

the point of this exercise isn't really about meditation — although you'll get those benefits too. it's about confronting the gap between who you think you are and who you actually are when social pressure kicks in.

most people who claim to be unbothered by others' opinions have never actually tested it. they've just avoided situations that would prove them wrong. this exercise eliminates that escape route.

what happens when you try

your heart will race. you'll feel exposed. you'll imagine every single person staring at you and judging you. your brain will manufacture a dozen reasons to stop: "this is weird," "people are going to think i'm crazy," "this isn't the right time."

notice those thoughts. that's your ego scrambling to protect itself from perceived social threat. the fascinating part? when you actually open your eyes, most people haven't noticed you at all. and the ones who did? they've already forgotten.

why discomfort is the teacher

every moment you sit there feeling uncomfortable and choosing not to move is a rep in the gym of not giving a fuck. you're literally training your nervous system to tolerate social discomfort without reacting to it.

after 10 minutes of public meditation, that awkward conversation you've been avoiding will seem trivial. the presentation you're nervous about will feel manageable. you've already done the harder thing.

try it this week

pick a public spot with moderate foot traffic. set a timer for 10 minutes. sit, close your eyes, and breathe. don't explain yourself to anyone. don't apologize. just exist in a way that makes your ego uncomfortable and notice that nothing bad actually happens.

if this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.