Now that the weather is improving and morning is more welcome, I've realized I want to savour the start of my day rather than continue with the frantic jump out of bed at the sound of the alarm slapping my clock, setting up the coffee maker (I had not yet mastered the automatic setting), jockeying of cars to take kids to school, a quick shower and then drive to the school and back with green juice in hand.
Just when I was forming my desire, I realized I wasn't the only one as I read this article which confirmed exactly what I suspected: it is time to slow down.
For the last few weeks, I've set the alarm a little earlier: 6:30AM vs 6:45AM to build in a 15 minute cushion before our daily 7:30AM departure for drop off at school. I have now mastered the automatic brew setting on the coffee maker so when I enter the kitchen I simply have to pour a cup.
I anchor my new peace and calm ritual with:
- My first, and only, cup of coffee for the day,
- I open a single serve greek yogurt and add 10 almonds,
- doors at the front and back are opened and I enjoy the weather that greets me, relieved that the temperatures are now consistently balmy,
- enjoying the silence, I spend about 5 minutes breathing and becoming centred, often outside on the back deck,
- my writing computer - a little 11" MacBook Air - is opened and I spend the time, before hollering up to wake children at 7AM, writing out my morning pages.
Once the kids come downstairs in various stages of dress, maybe eat something (none are enthusiastic breakfast eaters), put their bags together with whatever is needed for their school day, the chaos is in full swing. The deal is that the first one downstairs, fully dressed and organized gets "shotgun". While they're getting organized, I run down to the garage and move up Claire's car and park it on the street. I walk in the front door, grab a green drink out of the fridge, and follow the kids to the basement and out to the garage and we leave as close to 7:30AM as possible.
What I no longer do is:
- Resent the alarm clock,
- frantically do anything,
- skip breakfast,
- immediately shuffle the cars,
- take a quick shower before leaving for drop off, I now shower upon my return.
This new ritual really resonates with me and my well-being. I am far more mindful of myself and what I need to do during the day, week, month. I find that by being far more centred I am more energized through the day. I'm not sure how it will change now that we're in exams and school will be finished for the year in little more than a week.
I am happy I've established a practice of peace and calm that is good for me, reinforcing my need a kind and positive start to my days.
Of course, this will all be changed up in a few days when we enter our summer holidays. I am hoping to continue to wake earlier than the kids and keep a slower pace, a more gentle entry to my days. I find over summer I lose my sense of routine and it affects me in a negative way as I tend to spin when I have no anchor for my thoughts and activity. I hope this will provide that daily ritual that keeps me grounded!k
