Life & Self Care
The Importance of an Easy Morning
I know they always say that the most important part of your day is breakfast, but I think it’s really not just breakfast, It’s your whole morning. One thing that I’ve learned this past year is how stress and anxiety can really affect us in our lives. There is so much going on in the world, and having that bear down on you on top of your own personal struggles can really be depressing. Not only does this affect your mood, but it can really impact your day to day life.
The Sculptural Teacup with Canyon Coffee Pour Over
One thing that really helps ease my tension throughout the week is my morning routine. Our days can be really long, and I think it is so important to start your day off right to really set the tone for your day. Listen I know this is hard, but I promise this is worth it, GET UP EARLY! It took me a while to get used to this, but I started by setting an alarm everyday for maybe an hour or even thirty minutes earlier than I would normally get it. I kept this consistent and now I just naturally get up earlier than I need to. I know we all love to sleep in, and that’s okay too, you get that rest girl. But what I am telling you is having more time to treat yourself in the morning can really impact how you feel for the rest of the day.
This is what I do, I get up at 7:00 -7:30, I don’t have to be at work until 9:30, so that leaves me roughly 2 - 2.5 hours of beautiful me time! I get up and the first thing I do is I stretch and wake my body up slowly, and then I’ll play some light morning instrumental music in the background to stimulate my brain. I’ll then go make myself a cup of coffee or tea, I’ll take my time doing this cause there is no rush! Think of how methodical and meditative your morning routine can be and really set some intentions on caring for yourself and taking it easy. After my coffee is done, I wont make breakfast just yet! I’ll sit down and enjoy my cup of coffee while reading a book, or writing down my thoughts. Sometimes I’ll write what I dreamt of or I’ll just collect my thoughts and write down what I need to do that day. After I spend 15 minutes or so drinking my coffee, I’ll then make myself breakfast!
Make yourself something good here, don’t just throw something together. This is where the importance of trying to get up early comes from. I have a few different breakfast meals that I go back and fourth from. I’ll either make a veggie omelette or I’ll make a breakfast toast with a soft scramble, dill, and an herby mayo. I’m not saying you have to make some gourmet thing for breakfast every morning, but do put some thought into what you feed yourself as your first meal for the day. The whole point here is to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF! I promise this makes a huge difference in how you feel all day. Sometimes I will still have some time left, It’ll probably be around 8:30 at this point. After breakfast, I’ll dress myself, clean up, and make myself another cup of tea or coffee. Yeah I know this sounds excessive, but I LOVE MORNING DRINKS. Especially Matcha. Typically I start my morning with a pour-over, and finish my morning with a matcha. I love how meditative and methodical the process is to making matcha. It’s something you really can’t rush, so it just naturally makes me be a little slower.
While I sit to enjoy my matcha, sometimes I’ll cheat and do a little work here, like post to instagram, or respond to some emails, but I try to not focus on all of that yet so I can really savor my relaxation times and enjoy my morning. Once I finish my last drink, I’ll then prepare myself for the work day. I’ll pack my bag, put my shoes on, make sure my cat is fed, make my bed, and then I will head out for the day.
That was a lot I know, but because I got up early, I managed to relax, take my time, and do all of that before 9:30!! I know it seems excessive, but this is how my mornings start, I am not saying you have to do all of this, all of our routines are different! I am more so trying to inspire you to learn more about what it is that we need to do for ourselves that is simple and easy that can really impact how we feel and perform throughout our daily activities. Just a few simple moments of peace and self care is all it takes. One thing that I try to realize and share with others is that self care really doesn’t have to be a whole big fancy thing. (of course it can be once in a while, you go get that $200 spa package!) I’m saying that sitting down and spending 10 - 15 minutes reading something, drawing something, writing, and making yourself something to drink is a form of self care. This is something you don’t have to rush even when we feel like it’s normal to, you don’t have to! Make the time for it, learn how to be with yourself in silence, work through your thoughts, only rush yourself when you have to.
Morning Matcha In a cup by Maria White
My daily veggie omelette on a plate by Fiorenzo at CBFB Tablescapes