What changed in my mind after 7 days of meditation (Day 1 of 50)

Assalamu alaikum - I’m starting a 50-day journey of meditating and sharing what I learn. This is my first day writing about it. My first week was eye-opening. I used to think meditation meant stopping all thoughts, but that’s not true. What I found is that it’s about noticing thoughts without getting swept away by them - like watching them pass without chasing them. Here’s the simple routine I used for those first 7 days: Breath Awareness (5–10 minutes) • Sit comfortably with your back naturally straight. • Close your eyes and softly focus on the natural rhythm of your breath. • Pay attention to where the breath feels strongest - nostrils, chest, or belly. • Let your focus rest there without trying to force or control the breath. • When your mind wanders (and it will), just notice it and gently bring your attention back to the breath. • Treat each return as a small win, not a failure. Mind wandering isn’t a problem - it’s the point of the practice. Every time you notice and return, you’re training your mind to be more aware and focused. What I noticed after a week: I felt more purposeful. It’s hard to explain, but actions felt less automatic and more meaningful. My ability to gather and organize thoughts improved, and I was a bit more focused on my tasks, which made days feel easier to get through. Takeaway: The biggest lesson for me is consistency. A short daily practice beats occasional long sessions. In sha Allah I’ll keep posting updates as I go.