Why I Love What I Do . . . And Do What I Love
Jill Disser
Certified Meditation Facilitator and Coach
and Your Guide To Living Well
A Note To My Visitors
I have struggled with anxious thoughts throughout my life. From a young age, I was in therapy, but I still didn’t find lasting relief from my worries and fears. Then, in May 2019, I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer—a life-altering moment. Anxiety and fear became an overwhelming force in my life.
Let me explain how I discovered a way out of being controlled by anxiety. At the encouragement of a nurse navigator, I joined a meditation support group. This experience opened the door to mindfulness, which became a powerful tool in my healing and in managing the intense stress of my treatments.
Learning to train my mind to stay in the present moment and not be trapped in endless catastrophic thoughts helped calm my anxiety, improve my sleep, manage my pain, and bring a sense of balance and hope back into my life.
Inspired by my own transformation, I wanted to share the practices I learned that helped me heal emotionally, mentally, and physically.
This work is from my heart. I know the pain of anxiety, but I also know the way through - to be happier, more relaxed, and more optimistic about the future. Helping others find peace, just like I did, is what I’m meant to do.
If something in my story speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you.
You’re not alone—and when you’re ready, I’m here to listen, support, and guide you.
My Vision
My Vision is to create a world where no one feels alone and no one is ruled by the constant cycle of anxious thoughts, fears, or worries - where they can navigate life’s changes - where healing, peace, and clarity are within reach, even in life’s hardest moments.
My Mission
My Mission is to support others through anxiety, fear, and life’s uncertainties with compassionate, innovative, practical, and effective solutions. By quieting racing thoughts, reconnecting to the present moment, and rediscovering inner calm, they will no longer have to walk their path alone.
TESTIMONIALS
Kind Words From The Hearts Of Others
"This group sets the tone for the whole day"
"I'm so glad I attended. This group is utterly amazing--they just swirl in light and love. I can see why the person who recommended me said it sets the tone for the whole day. Jill’s meditation has been a wonderful experience. With her gentle facilitation, I have grown to depend on a positive start to my day, loosening up nighttime stiffness, and feeling welcome in a loving community. My range of motion has improved, along with my mood. It’s comforting to wake up each morning knowing that a kind and welcoming group is waiting with genuine smiles to greet me."
- Tam
"I look forward to our time together every day."
"I appreciate being in your meditation group. I enjoy your meditations and the group of women we have. I had never tried meditation before, so I was a little leery. I didn’t know what to expect, but it has surpassed my expectations. It has helped me with my mental well-being. I look forward to our time together every day. Thank you so much."
- Martha
"I left with a sense of calm and a path ahead."
"Jill has the voice of Mother Earth and guided me straight into myself and led me to open up to my feelings. I have attended her meditations with so much on my mind and left with a sense of calm and a path ahead. Thank you Jill:)))"
- Heather, Certified Trainer & Licensed Life Coach
"My range of motion has improved, along with my mood."
“Jill's meditation has been a wonderful experience. With her gentle facilitation, I have grown to depend on a positive start to my day, to loosening up nighttime stiffness, and to feeling welcome in a loving community. My range of motion has improved, along with my mood. It’s comforting to wake up each morning knowing that a kind and welcoming group is waiting with genuine smiles to greet me.”
- Jack
Hurry Up And Wait
“Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There” from the book by Sylvia Boorstein, says it perfectly.
Why are we always in such a hurry? Always rushing, always pushing toward the next thing. Sometimes it’s because we’re running late. Other times, it’s because we want to get out of discomfort, solve a problem quickly, or settle the uncertainty of a decision or relationship.
Even worrying is a kind of rushing. We don’t like not knowing, so our minds speed ahead, trying to escape the uncomfortable space of waiting.
And in the process, life itself gets lost.
We move through our days trying to conquer endless to-do lists. We skip past the present moment—even the enjoyable ones—because our focus is already on what’s next. Our minds are trapped in endless loops of things that wears us down, leaving us on edge, fraught with anxiety, and snapping at the slightest thing. And when it comes time to unwind? We're simply too wired to relax.
“STOP! Be here now. Slow down.”
It sounds simple, but in today’s fast-paced world, it isn’t easy.
What rushing actual does to us
When we’re always in a hurry, our bodies flood with cortisol, the stress hormone, which can undermine our health; and, over time, this can lead to serious health problems, strained relationships, and a mind that never truly rests. Imagine being on a fast-moving merry-go-round: rush to work, tackle tasks, quickly eat lunch, and hurry back. Our minds are always on the go, wearing us thin, leaving us anxious and easily irked. Yet all this rushing leaves us drained, anxious, and unable to relax.
So how do we break free from this cycle?
Ways to Slow Down
Here are some practices that can help:
1. Question before you say yes.
Saying yes to everything works for no one. If you take on tasks without checking whether you truly have time, you’ll overload yourself and end up anxious.
2. Practice saying no.
This is one of the hardest—and most important—skills. Taking on others’ responsibilities puts you in a loop of never catching up and doing things poorly. Saying no creates the space you need to slow down.
3. Stop multitasking.
It feels productive, but it actually scatters your focus. Instead, do one thing at a time. You’ll finish with more clarity, better results, and less stress.
4. Prioritize and track your time.
Not all tasks carry the same weight. Keep a simple to-do list and notice where your time really goes. Awareness is the first step toward better choices.
5. Improve your time-management habits.
Choose what matters most and make space for it. Try waking up earlier, and resist the urge to dive into emails and messages right away. Give yourself quiet time for the things that refill your energy.
6. Literally slow down.
Stop speeding through life—whether in a car or in your daily pace. The minutes you “save” aren’t worth the toll on your body, mind, and safety.
7. Take breaks.
Even ten minutes of true rest can re-energize you. A longer vacation can shift your perspective entirely. Your nervous system needs downtime.
8. Stay positive.
When rushing, negativity creeps in easily. A positive mindset helps you stay motivated and realistic about what you can handle.
9. Manage your emotions.
Stress makes our emotions run high. Practicing self-regulation helps you stay calm, steady, and more effective—even when life gets busy.
Bringing mindfulness into the picture
One simple way to interrupt the rush is to pause and notice:
What am I doing right now?
Why am I doing it?
How does this feel in my body?
That pause creates space. It helps you shift from reacting automatically to responding thoughtfully.
This is also the essence of mindfulness. Anxiety often shows up as physical sensations in the body, triggered by worrying about the future. By noticing those sensations and naming them as anxiety—without trying to fix them immediately—you remind yourself that they will pass.
The more often you practice this awareness, the more your mind learns to step out of worry loops and return to the present moment.
A final thought
Life doesn’t have to be lived at full speed. Slowing down isn’t laziness—it’s wisdom. It’s reclaiming your health, your calm, and your ability to truly enjoy the life you’re living.
If anxiety and rushing are stealing your peace, I’d love to help. Visit my website to learn more or schedule an online consultation with me. Together, we can find ways to bring balance, calm, and clarity back into your days.
Slowing Down Micro Meditation Podcast
Slowing Down: Float and Relax in the Moment
Drift effortlessly on calm waters, embracing stillness and peace. Let go, breathe, and simply float—nowhere to go, just being.
You've Got Questions. I've Got Answers.
How can mindfulness help reduce anxiety when I feel it coming on?
When anxiety starts to grow, mindfulness gives you a way to pause and get yourself back on track before it takes over. Even just a few mindful breaths can disrupt the cycle of racing thoughts and calm your nervous system. With practice, you’ll learn to recognize the early signs of anxiety and respond with tools that bring you back to the present moment - so you feel more in control and less overwhelmed. The good news is, your breath is always with you. Taking even one slow, conscious breath may interrupt the spiral. Sometimes this is enough; other times, it isn't. Please reach out to me so I can help you learn proven effective mindfulness techniques that reduce anxiety, worry, and help manage the problems you are having1 .
(1) Contact Us
I’ve tried meditation before, but my mind still races. How is your approach different?
First of all, it's completely normal for your mind to wander, especially when you’re anxious. That's how your minds work. My technique is gentle, guided meditation practice, specifically designed for people who struggle with racing thoughts. My approach is simple: practice, practice, practice. My coaching method is not for temporary relief or generic advice. I don’t offer a bandaid; instead, I try to empower you to become active participants in your own healing. I meet you exactly where you are - even if your mind is racing or chaotic. Instead of trying to stop the wandering mind, I teach you the skills to notice it and gently guide it back using awareness. I help you understand your habit loops (trigger → behavior → reward) so you can break free from habitual thought patterns. My meditations are personalized, flexible, and empowering so you feel supported and in control. I don’t coach you to try to silence the racing mind. That would be futile. I help you build a new relationship with your thoughts so you can respond with clarity instead of being pulled by fear or habit.
Do I need any previous experience with meditation to join your programs?
Not at all. Whether you're new to meditation or returning, everything is taught in a simple, step-by-step manner. You’ll be supported. Even if you have meditated a lot, you know that the mind still wanders, anxiety still shows up, and sometimes, you still feel stuck. You'll find that my sessions go deeper. Every meditation is a unique journey, originally written by me - no generic recordings. No two sessions are alike, because you’re never in the same place twice. All that’s required is an open mind and a willingness to show up for yourself.
How long does it usually take to feel the benefits of mindfulness practice?
Many people notice small shifts, like feeling more grounded or sleeping a bit better, within just a few sessions. You may notice some benefits right away, but with regular, consistent practice, those benefits deepen - and become more lasting and meaningful over time. We have the ability to rewire the path of our brain by learning to accept the present moment instead of getting lost in thought. Mindfulness isn’t about getting rid of stress or thoughts - it’s about changing our relationship with them. The good news is: you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present—and keep coming back. Mindfulness is an ongoing, lifelong journey.
Can meditation really help with sleep and pain management?
Yes, it's fantastic! Meditation helps relax the body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Mindful meditation-based pain relief also supports pain management by reducing the stress response and helping you respond to discomfort with greater calm and awareness—something I experienced personally during my healing journey. This has been proven in experimental and clinical settings as per NIH.
How do I get started, and what can I expect in a session?
Getting started is easy—just reach out through my website or contact form. In each session, I’ll guide you through simple mindfulness and meditation practices tailored to your needs. We’ll focus on calming anxious thoughts, building emotional resilience, and supporting you through whatever life change you’re facing. You’ll leave each session feeling more centered, supported, and empowered.
Is there a difference between mindfulness and meditation?
Mindfulness is a state of awareness carried throughout daily life and is valuable, not just when meditating, but also in every moment of everyday life.
Meditation is a daily practice to train the mind and develop mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of awareness that can be used during meditation.
Meditation is the exercise to develop mindfulness or awareness. Mindfulness requires an increased sense of awareness and staying present in the moment. Practicing meditation to develop mindfulness is good for your body, mind, and heart and brings a sense of calm, inner peace, and gratitude.
What is happening in our mind when getting caught up in anxiety?
Our mind tries to reduce uncertainty by going on autopilot and uses habitual patterns of thought to reduce it. In the past, these habitual patterns developed because they give us the sense of being able to control the uncertainty. The uncertainty can't be reduced but these habitual behaviors feel better than the uncertainty. Once we stop the thinking, the uncertainty comes back and we repeat the behavior. This creates loops of thoughts that constantly repeat. By using mindfulness to become aware of being on autopilot and caught in these loops, we can learn to change this behavior and stop the uncomfortable feelings caused by the uncertainty from growing.
Has mindfulness been proven to reduce anxiety?
Yes! Many recent studies have shown that physical changes occur in the brain of people who regularly practice meditation. One such study "shows that mindfulness can significantly improve mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression."1 Studies have shown that areas of the brain related to habitual behaviors caused by anxiety are greatly reduced in people who are advanced meditators, and suggest that "emotions like fear and stress tend to shrink in people who meditate regularly. "2 These changes can be seen even in people who are just starting to meditate. The more people practice meditation, the greater these changes are. Using meditation to train the mind has been proven by these studies to effectively reduce anxiety.
(1) Science Behind Mindfulness: Neurological and Psychological Mechanisms
(2) Unlocking the Power of Meditation: How It Transforms Your Brain
Living Your Life Without Anxiety
Disclaimer
I understand that by using this website, I will be receiving coaching services from Meditation To Live Well LLC, which are not intended to substitute for professional mental health care or medical care, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any mental health or medical conditions. I also understand that Meditation To Live Well LLC is not acting as a mental health counselor or a medical professional.