Meditation and mindfulness are often marketed as the magic cure for stress, anxiety, burnout, and emotional chaos. But here’s the quiet truth most wellness spaces won’t say out loud: A lot of people find meditation irritating, boring, uncomfortable, or outright stressful. And that’s not because they’re “doing it wrong.” It’s because meditation isn’t universally soothing, and mindfulness isn’t a personality match for everyone. Let’s explore why and what actually works instead.