HOW SLOWING DOWN EACH MORNING CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER

 

Slow Morning - Photo by Ron Lach : https://www.pexels.com

Back then, I used to equate productivity with constant busyness. My days revolved around ticking items off an endless to-do list, multitasking my way through tasks to accomplish as much as possible in a short amount of time. Slow mornings? To me, those were synonymous with laziness, reserved only for weekends or luxurious holidays at a serene hotel. And even during those rare moments, I’d often feel restless, plagued by guilt for “wasting” time.

The habit of staying perpetually busy had become second nature—an autopilot mode that left me feeling disconnected from the concept of unwinding. I tried, on occasion, to indulge in a slow morning, but my mind would always wander back to what I could be doing instead. Productivity had become my identity, and the thought of slowing down felt foreign, almost wrong.

Then came the pandemic, and the whole world hit the brakes. Suddenly, my packed schedule was wiped clean. Work was on hold, socializing moved to video calls, and for the first time in forever, I was faced with empty days. It was during that strange, uncertain time that I stumbled across videos about mindful living, slow morning, and self-care. And like many others, I was skeptical at first. Could slowing down really make life better? But with nothing else demanding my attention, I figured, why not give it a shot?

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Spoiler alert: it wasn't an easy transition. My restless mind didn't magically quiet down, and letting go of my "always busy" mindset took time. But little by little, with a mix of patience and persistence, I began to embrace slow mornings. And guess what? They changed everything!

It's been four years now that I apply this lifestyle, and I can say without hesitation that slow mornings have transformed my life. In fact, slow mornings have become my favorite part of the day. They're no longer reserved for special occasions or lazy Sundays; they're daily ritual that sets the tone for everything else. In those quiet moments, I find peace, connection, and clarity before diving into rest of the day. I like to silently whisper to myself, "Everything else can wait", coz this is my 'me time' to reconnect with God, my inner self, and the beauty around me.

My slow mornings starts after the morning prayer, sending gratitude to God and to my body for the good quality of sleep I had. Then, I open all the windows, letting the crisp morning air in. Sometimes, I sit on the porch to enjoy the tranquility and watch the sky change its colors as the sun begins to rise. Other times, I settle into the cozy comfort of my living room. From there, I take some time to journal, write, read, or go for a power walk, depending on my mood or what I feel I need in that moment. Then, I end it with savoring a warm mug of coffee or tea, fully present and enjoying every sip as it grounds me gratitude.

Before these days, I never thought about how impactful a slow morning could be on our lives. This small change in my routine has brought me so much peace and happiness. Starting my mornings with intention has done wonders for my mental health and overall outlook on life. It's helped me align with my values and appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed. It's really incredible how something so simple can shift your entire perspective.

In the end, here's what I've learned from this practice: slow mornings aren't just for weekends or retirement years; they're a daily gift we can choose to embrace. But here's the thing: slow morning isn’t about doing less but about being intentional with your time and energy. It's about creating foundation of mindfulness and gratitude to carry through the day.

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So, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the constant busyness of life, I encourage you to try slowing down, even if it's just for a few minutes in the morning. Take a moment to breathe deeply, reflect, and be present. You'd be amazed at how transformative this simple practice can be. Remember, life isn't about rushing to the finish line - it's about enjoying the journey, one calm morning at a time.