embrace a morning ritual

I’ve fallen for the dawn.

If you’re a long time reader, you know how much I adore a nourishing bedtime – tea, candles, bath, bed – but up until now, the early morning hasn’t really inspired ritual. I could credit spring or the energy surge that came with my second trimester, but for the past few weeks I have well and truly embraced the morning; its quiet and its stillness – a sweet offering.

If I always honoured my body and its natural inclinations I would go to bed early and rise with the sun. But that hardly ever happens; seven years of motherhood has left me weary and any extra time in bed is welcomed and gratefully accepted. However, over the past few months as I’ve craved energy (any kind of energy) I have a newfound appreciation for being awake and feeling motivated. I’m sure the sun and blue skies have a lot to do with it too; they literally beckon me from slumber.

Regardless of what my morning entails, I start my day with a warm glass of water with lemon juice. If Daniel is home I’ll go for a long walk (whilst it’s good for my mind I’m also determined not too put on too much weight before my imminent third-trimester coincides with the hottest and most humid months of the year). If I stay at home I’ll usually tick a few household chores off the list (productivity is at its peak first thing in the morning), write a few stories or take myself out to the balcony and drink tea; a simple meditation, of sorts.

It’s so good it almost feels indulgent! And I think I know why. Deep down, I’ve accepted the fact that this ritual is fleeting. In this current season of motherhood I have the luxury of uninterrupted sleep, energy and small pockets of time. It will change soon, hence I’m basking in it while I can.

Tell me, are you a morning person? Does a mindful morning ritual inspire you or would you prefer to stay curled up in bed?

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Showing 14 comments
  • alicarz
    Reply

    Mornings are best. For the last few months we've been trying not to rush in the morning – I cook or slowly prepare our breakfast while my toddler is sitting on our kitchen surface and observing me and the food. I love preparing nutritious food for breakfast and talking to my toddler about what we're about to eat – I think this is our ritual.

  • milliontinylittlethings
    Reply

    Sounds like a perfect way to start the day. Before the summer holidays (UK), I started getting up before the children on their nursery days to try and do some writing, as I just struggled to fit it in around my other commitments. I have to say I got so much done in that extra hour! I also found that we rush less if I'm already up and really 'awake.' Now the children are starting school, I'm hoping to do it again… it's early days so we just need to find our new rhythm. We're slipping into Autumn which won't really help, dark mornings aren't terribly inspiring! Xx

  • Sophie Isobel
    Reply

    Oh what a beautiful way to start the day! Right now, I do love the fact that I get to sleep in while dear Ben takes the early shift with Miss Tallow. But I do miss the early mornings and try to make up for it with some mid morning yoga and time in the garden while Tallow has a morning nap. You are so right, those little rituals are so fleeting as stages change and that's what makes them so very special. Hope you're having a beautiful week lovely. Much love xxx

  • Victoria
    Reply

    I am a night dweller & much more with this pregnancy even though I am beyond exhausted come 5pm I still manage to practice some prenatal yoga before I pass out on the bed but maybe I should swap my nights for early mornings because then the energy would be higher.

  • lucinda smith
    Reply

    mornings have also become my most treasured time. there is a stillness and quiet that is so grounding – it's a perfect start to the day. like you, i am a mother that relishes my sleep but every night i strive to get to bed at a good hour so that i can wake up early, before the rest of the house, to have that moment alone and set an intention for the day. xo

  • Jesi
    Reply

    I absolutely adore the morning and the rising of the sun! I used to wake up around 5AM in my early twenties and late teens, but since I've had my son I try to enjoy sleeping as much as possible! Normally I wake up anywhere from 7AM to 830 I wish I could resolve to wake up earlier and have a bit more time to myself!

  • The McGregors
    Reply

    Ohh yes, my favorite time of day is sunrise. Each day for the past month (save three or four days when it was raining too hard), I would walk down to the water, watch the sunrise, and do a short meditation. It alters me completely and I've come to depend on it!

  • Steph @ this brown wren
    Reply

    I've been waking with the sun lately and like you, am relishing that time alone. There's something almost mystical about padding around the house whilst others sleep and getting out of doors when the sun is just showing itself. Enjoy your new found energy lovely 🙂 xx

  • Audrey
    Reply

    Mornings are by far my favourite part of the day! I'm awoken by a 6 week old fussing for a feed, then the pounding run of my 2.5 year old coming into our room 🙂 we snuggle, get up & I prepare brekky & a lunch box for Teddy then sneak off for a looong hot shower…bliss!

  • Мария Кулешова
    Reply

    Mornings are the best, but only during the summer months, when the sun rises early, the birds are singing and the city is sleeping. In this way you can get up an hour or two earlier and enjoy a hot cup of tea sitting at the balcony, reading some poetry. But autumn, winter and spring mornings are not that welcoming. There's no sun to embase you, no bird to sing you a beautiful song.There's only you and the darkness, so it's better to stay in a warm bed, cuddling with the one you love. But if i had an opportunity to choose, i would definitely choose to wake up early,to have these mornings for your date with the world 🙂

  • myslowlivingadventure
    Reply

    I meditate in bed. Sometimes with a child snuggled up next to me, sometimes not. I start with a guided meditation and then keep it going in peace for as long as I can. Then I brush my tongue, then the lemon in hot water, then the day.

  • Ieva
    Reply

    oh, i live for mornings 🙂 up at 5.30, yoga till all house is deeply asleep, then lemon water, making green juice and then waking up the rest of the family. After that hubby will walk out with doggies for morning stroll and i'll make raw chocolate ( on repeat lately ) smoothie bowl. When all this is over we're off with our busy days 🙂

    if something happens and i loose my morning… god help the world! 🙂 it's like the ground has been moved from under my feet!

  • Zilá
    Reply

    I am not a morning person, but I have to drive my kids to school, serve breakfast, etc.. so I had to embrace it. Actually mornings are better to work on my handmade projects and other personal things. In the evening I spend time with the boys, help with homework, feed and cuddle and we all go to bed together. I definitely love the weekends when I can sleep in with my husband..

  • Reply

    I'm not a morning person. And yet, one day while struggling to wake, an entire blog post streamed out of my brain in perfectly formed sentences. It's probably my favourite one yet, though in spite of this early morning creativity – like you – I'm still unwilling to give up any little bit of extra sleep I can grab of a morning.
    I did, however, receive a new tea pot and some vanilla green tea for my birthday and have been thoroughly enjoying making it my morning ritual. Bliss!
    All the best for entering trimester 3 in the heat.
    Sarah

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