I don't know about you ladies... but mornings are hard for me. I'm a night owl by nature and have been working to change that for the past 3 years. On my more challenging mornings, I hit the snooze only to lay frozen in my sleepy state... hoping that another moment of rest may stimulate in me some fire or motivation to jump up and appreciate the day ahead of me. It's like this "morning fog" and with time and positive messages and happy thoughts, I do get out of it and am able to function... but still have to remind myself of this positive message throughout the day.
Well, ladies, I ask, what really is wrong with that? This year I am deciding to work with my nature rather than against it and accept that some mornings I need to jump start my motivation to get going!
I have decided to think on those things that get me going and keep me motivated. Make a few new lists, create some notes for myself, invest in a few new things around the house, and surround myself with these helpful words and positive messages in the AM when I need them most.
Here are a few things that work for me are:
- Humming the tune of a great song... "No one" by Alicia Keys is a great one for me right now.
- The promise of a yummy breakfast.
- Brisk morning walks.
- My inspirational podcasts from MyThoughtCoach.com.
- Yoga poses.
- Quick 15 min. journaling in my collage/journal book.
- Quick 15 min. of collaging in my collage/journal book.
- Sometimes the morning news or Good Morning America.
- Calling my folks who are 3 hours ahead of me and already up in Ohio.
So, ladies, let's hear from you... What are your morning rituals? What gets you out of bed each morning? Do you have any positive messages or notes to yourself around your home or on your mirrors or work planners that keep you in a good mood throughout your day?
Thanks for sharing your rituals!!
I think I see an important trend here... it's great to have a plan for your mornings and the environment matters as well. As, lavaqueen pointed out, sunshine can make a difference... I find that in the wintertime when the sun barely comes up and the day is mostly overcast - I just don't have the same get-up-and-go as when the sun smiles on my skin thru the curtains in the summertime!
I love Mawiyah's comment about her routine... I could totally visualize her morning. It reminded me of a forgotten goal to create a shrine for myself for meditation. I have bought some candles, sage, and such and here and there but the idea of setting aside a corner in my bedroom with pillows, some shelves, inpirational photos and quotes feels much more powerful. Here is an article from ymib about setting up sacred spaces: http://ymib.com/daily-inspiration/inspiration/articles/sacred-spaces-eve....
The idea of waking each morning and setting a positive, gracious and joyous mood for the day ahead of me sounds like a great motivator to wake up at 5am, which is my personal goal. I actually want to wake up that early to have more time to meditate each day and also journal, create art, etc. Guess I need to get crackin' on my sacred space... I'll keep you guys posted on it.
Thanks for sharing, Ladies!
*Ms.Lee
Bright Mornings!!
LOVE LIFE LAVA!!!
You would not believe how real natural energy is. about 3 yrs ago my bedroom had a sunroof and it was such a great source of energy for me. I would be up no later than 6am joyous exited and ready to take on the day, I would make a good pot of outmeal pourage with rasins and cranberries and nuts The Works fresh juice. Cook a full meal and be off. I was real nice on my guitar. I was crocheting skirts and hats and sewing skirts at machine speed. And no negative vibe could dear enter my space. Then a year later I moved into a basement apartment with barely any light and overwhelmingly strong negative vibes surrounding me and I fell into this terrible state of depression. I Hate my job and that is certainly not a motivator. It was so funny when I was looking for a new apartment people would think I was weard when I asked if the place had windows or big windows. They would be like uhh yeah.... OK. But That light and energy was important for me it was like my battery or somethig. It would motivate me so much in the morning and throughout the day. I still have the same job that I hate but lack of money is a motivator as well so thats how I deal with that but Im working on getting back into the things that I love to do. So where ever you live make sure you situate your bed so that its in the path of the light. Make sure your space is clean a light atmosphere helps as well, and if you dont love your job just think about all the things you can do with your paycheck that you love to do!!!!
HAILE SELASSIE I IS OUR STRENGTH!!!
LAVA!!!!
Acestral Rejuvination
Mawiyah Kai EL-Jamah Bomani
I greet each day with a thanks to my ancestors through a ritual egun prayer. Incense and I light a candle to open the gateway for meditation. I communicate with my foremothers and fathers through cowrie divination and for myself my mother peace cards dictate my movements. Lastly I play the rainstick and dance my way to a new beginning/rebirth and triumph.
my mornings
I'm currently a morning person but I've been having trouble getting up because my job is not inspiring me these days, and I've also been having trouble falling asleep at night for the first time in my life. These days I hit snooze leaving just enough time for me to get dressed and throw my lunch in my bag. I wat breakfast at work, while I'm teaching, because it actually calms me. It's a fairly new (bad) habit and one I'm eager to let go of.
I'm working on setting aside extra time for some sun salutations and sitting down to drink some tea. I love the idea of journaling in the morning as well. Thank you for sharing that :)
Music
My ritual would include music, at this moment it is amiel larrieux.
When I get to work I eat oatmeal and drink peppermint or green tea.
I work in a public high school so I need the down time.
10 minutes of quiet time is a must.
The picture is beautiful.
Peace