How do you know if meditation is working for you?

I realize that I tend to force things in life, specifically situations, and this is something that I am trying to stop. But, I am now uncertain as to when I am forcing things compared to when I am initiating things. Doing things, such as approaching people, is not always forcing it, but I'm just having a hard time realizing the difference.

This is directed at beginners but also experienced meditators, really to anyone who has noticed changes in their lives that they relate to meditation. I want to know what those changes you notice are.

How did that session impact your mind, mood, your day, and week? It would be interesting to know the impact long sessions have on people.

I heard there are some meditations that you meditate with your eyes open. What are the benefits of this compared to meditating with eyes closed?

I am trying to understand if I should be sitting for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour, or if it doesn't really matter how long I sit for

Not that you are necessarily dreaming of anything, but just the feeling as if you are in a dream. Everything is sort of slowed down, and you don't really have too many thoughts anymore. Yet everything also feels magnified.

Any time you are truly angry, how do you handle it? Im asking more about what you do once you are already angry, less about what you do to prevent it.

I am always told that meditation is meant to teach you how to let go of thoughts, and most guided meditations tell you to let go of thoughts, but what does this actually mean, and how do you actually do it?

In the teachings, there is the concept of not forcing things, Wu wei, so I wonder how other people practice this and implement it into their lives, and what changes and benefits they have noticed from it.

Just wondering how everyone experiences slowing down and how it impacts their own mental state and well being. If it helps you be more relaxed and rested or if you grow impatient.