Patricia: "Meditation made a tough period in my life more bearable"

Can you briefly tell something about yourself?

"Together with my husband and daughter, I live in Haarlem. We try to enjoy every day and are positive in life. That is our motto. Yet I have also known hard times. Several years ago I was diagnosed with a malignant tumor. I had to undergo intensive treatments, including chemo, radiation and hospitalizations. Despite everything, I survived, and meditation played an important role in that."

How is meditation part of your life?

"Meditation has become a big part of our family life. My husband, who was skeptical at first, uses it to fall asleep better. He now often says, "With this meditation, I sleep better anyway." Our daughter is highly sensitive and listens to sleep stories from the app every night. It helps her cope with emotions and gives her peace of mind. Together we find meditation a wonderful way to get closer to ourselves and let go of the hustle and bustle of life for a while."

How did you come into contact with Meditation Moments?

"Six years ago I discovered the Meditation Moments app with a friend, right at a time when we were both suffering from burnout. Yoga was already helping me a bit, but the set class times were inconvenient. Then the app came along, and we decided to just give it a try. From day one I was a fan."

What does meditation mean to you?

"For me, meditation is a way to end my day on a positive note. Every evening I look back on the bright spots of the day and quiet my mind. I also use it to start the day, with intentions and focus. Instead of immediately grabbing my phone, I consciously choose a moment of silence. It has become a regular part of my daily rhythm.

Meditation can be done in so many ways. It used to be seen as really floaty, but fortunately that image has changed. Instead, it is something that brings you closer to yourself. The app has short and long meditations, with different voices and themes, so there is always something to suit you. The nice thing is that you can also do it outside. I regularly put my earbuds in during a walk and consciously enjoy nature."

You indicated that you went through a tough period...

"Three years ago I was diagnosed with a malignant tumor. During the corona period, I had to go to Erasmus MC for treatments and often stayed there alone. I always had my phone, headphones and the Meditation Moments app with me. The music and guided meditations allowed me to take a break from everything.

The app not only gave me peace, but also helped others around me. I was sometimes in a room with several people, and they became curious about what I was doing. I let them discover the app, and even older patients liked it. Sometimes I just put on the music so everyone could enjoy it. It made that difficult time a little more bearable, not only for me, but also for others."

How do you use the app in your daily life?

"Eventually meditation became a daily ritual. I notice an immediate difference when I don't do it for a day; then I feel restless. The app also helps me sleep better. I often use the sleep meditations or soothing music. Thanks to the sleep function, the app stops automatically so I don't wake up startled. Even my husband, who sometimes lies tossing and turning, falls asleep within minutes because of a guided meditation. I also really like the music tracks. I suffer from tinnitus and the music pieces have certain frequencies that mask the ringing in my ears, which is very nice."

Would you recommend the app to others?

"Yes I would, and I do regularly. Meditation Moments offers so much more than just meditations. You can find audiobooks, children's meditations and even yoga nidra sessions. The choice of voices makes it personal and the versatility ensures that it never gets boring. What I also like is that the app is constantly renewed. New meditations, music or challenges are added regularly."

What do you think of the community?

"The social aspect is nice. I follow Meditation Moments on social media and inspiring quotes are shared daily. Sometimes such a great quote comes at just the right time and that can really make a difference. What I also appreciate is the interaction between people. Whether on Facebook or Instagram, users ask questions and help each other out. The team itself is also incredibly accessible. If you have questions, you can always send a DM, and you will be helped quickly and kindly. Even if something goes wrong once, they are immediately ready to solve it. It feels very special to be part of such a warm and engaged community together."