Headspacer of the Month: Chris Markland

We believe meditation is for everyone, in fact the range of people united by the practice is one of the things that makes the Headspace community so unique. We wanted to take the chance to introduce you to just a few of those who are taking time out to get some Headspace each day.

What’s your name?

Chris Markland

What do you do for a living?

Designer / illustrator @ Headspace

What do you wish you did for a living?

I’m going to go with either wildlife photographer or a Paleontologist digging up T-Rex bones in the desert.

Why did you start using Headspace?

I’d just finished my degree and was on the hunt for a decent job, I saw the position at Headspace posted and I remember my first thought being ‘this sounds weird’ so I applied straight away. No one comes without a certain level of anxiety and stress in their life, when I finished Take10 before my job interview I felt a real belief in the brand and what it was doing for people, myself included, It really doesn’t take long to feel the benefits.

What’s the best moment of your life?

I’m going to say being in love for the first time, even though it sounds cheeseballs and makes me want to be sick in my own mouth a little it’s probably true!

And the worst?

Having people close to you pass is always hard and seeing how it makes other people you care about is also not fun. We’ve had relatives pass away and I wish I could have been a bit older to properly support my family during those times.

What do you most regret?

Regret as an idea slightly terrifies me, I’ve always tried to make conscious choices that will minimize the risk of regret. If I’ve ever been given an opportunity I’ll do my best to take it, that’s probably how i’ve ended up moving from a small country town in northern England to London then LA.

If I had to choose I’d say letting criticism or judgment stop me from doing what I want in the past. I like the saying that ‘people are going to judge you no matter what you do, so live the life you fucking want to.’

What do you wish for most?

For myself? To be surrounded by inspiring and open-minded people that I can learn from and who make me laugh.

What habit do you wish you didn’t have?

Messing around with my beard, I catch myself chewing it sometimes! Tasty.

Who do you dedicate your practice to?

Me. My practice is my own, that’s what makes it so cool. The positive knock on effects to others around is a massive bonus.