Morning Reset Rituals
Mornings are the only time when my mind is fresh enough to think, dream, and wonder with abandon.
“My sanity is hanging on by a thread, and that thread is having a peaceful morning alone,” I told my husband.
Lately, he’s been getting up earlier, and just his breathing intrudes on “my time.”
I said that with humor, a gentle way of communicating my needs. He always has a funny, witty comeback. After 20+ years together, he understands my blissful alone time benefits everyone in the family.
The reason I like mornings is because everyone’s asleep. I feel inhibited by the sense of being observed while I’m journaling, meditating, or staring into the void.
Solitude is essential for me.
My Morning Routine generally involves waking at 6 a.m., making coffee and big mason jar of iced water, brushing my teeth, slapping on some moisturizer, and settling in with my Morning Basket of notebooks, books, and other essentials.
My Morning Reset Rituals:
Setting the stage. I turn on seasonal ambience scene on YouTube. I prefer instrumental music and a seasonal scene. Words distract me.
Opening my journal. I did “The Artist’s Way” two years ago, and I have managed to maintain a consistent journaling practice ever since, something I aspired to achieve after more than a decade of trying. I finally succeeded when I removed the expectation of completing the requisite three full pages. Using a completely non-special notebook helped me feel more comfortable writing unfiltered and unphilosophically.
Meditation. Experts say 20 minutes is the optimal number. I do it for as little as five minutes some days. I meditate for inner peace, tapping into my intuition, and to practice quieting my mind. I often wear my LED skincare mask because I am not above vanity, and it’s an effective people repellant. Plus, it has the added benefit of a 10-minute timer.
After this, I should go for a brisk morning walk, and that’s been a part of my routine in the past. I’d be lying if I said I did that today. It remains an aspiration. I’ll report back.
In reality, this is when I make my meal plan, do my grocery list, or complete one of the ten gazillion other tasks that buzz around the mind of a working mom to an active teen.
Before life’s responsibilities consume me, I’ve carved out a little space of peace to start my day centered.
I love hearing about morning routines. Tell me about yours!
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