Slow Mornings
The alarm sounds and I snuggle into the sheets, crying for “10 more minutes and coffee...always coffee.” To which my husband (who is a saint) always deliver (albeit with a chuckle). I sit for a few minutes, back resting against our headboard, and concentrate on the tasks ahead that will make up my hectic day.
I repeat this cycle 6 days a week. That’s right...6 days...not 7.
On the 7th day I have chosen to institute the “Slow Morning” plan. On these mornings:
I drag myself out of bed.
I meander over to my favorite location in our apartment: the windowsill.
I plunk myself down and watch the world go by as I eat a fabulously slow homemade breakfast.
I savor my coffee and ponder my blessings.
I enjoy the silence and take a few minutes to review my week.
I center myself. I pray. I watch the world go by.
All in all, I take a 20-30 minute life break.
Sounds heavenly but impossible right? I get it. My life is hectic too. But I got tired of feeling the world was spinning and I couldn’t get it to stop. I got tired of doing my tasks, but never really living. Somehow, I had forgotten to savor the everyday moments and I wanted this to change!
If this strikes a cord in your soul, join me in instituting the following “Slow Morning” plan.
First, add a 20-30 “Slow Morning” block to your schedule 1 day a week. If it is your schedule, it is twice as likely to actually happen, which applies for everything in life. Exercise, travel, social activities, rest, everything!
During a “Slow Morning” decide to stop fighting your body clock. Go with your natural rhythm and don’t beat yourself up about it. If you are a late sleeper, take an extra snooze. If you are an early morning riser, rise and shine as you usually do.
Do you have little ones? Ask your spouse to alternate weekends with you. Perhaps every other weekend you each get one “Slow Morning” pass.
Make breakfast and a fabulous cup of coffee. Select a location in the sun to sit if possible. Soak in the vitamin D which provides energy, fights depression and assists your immune system. A “Slow Morning” meal in the right location can help you stay healthy and happy!
As you eat, focus on the world scurrying past you. Experience the contrast between what you normally do and what you are cultivating at this very moment. I sit near my window and watch the people coming and going on my busy downtown street.
Count your blessings and be grateful. You are alive and happy. Review your past week. Center yourself in this moment and remember that you woke up today for a purpose. So live it!
Don’t have a lot of extra time in the morning to make this happen? Try these time saving tips to assist you:
Make your breakfast the night before to recoup the morning prep time. Microwave your baked good for 10-15 seconds right before you sit down and it will taste/feel like it just came fresh out of the oven. Most breakfast foods are amazing reheated!
Set the timer for 20-30 minutes to ensure that you don’t linger too long.
Turn off all distractions. No tv, no phone, no questions to answer from your spouse or children. Hide in the closet if you have to. Unless there is blood or screaming, my sister literally tells her 4 boys, “Mom is on break...go find your Father.” Nothing stretches the moments when you are short on time like silence.
Do you homeschool? Remember, you are the Principal! Call a mandatory 20-30 minute recess and send those kids outdoors or downstairs to play!
One of my best friends says, “There is something special in making the everyday things beautiful.” I would say, the everyday things are already beautiful. We just have to provide ourselves time to consciously look for that beauty. So take a “Slow Morning” and enjoy your tomorrow.