So here you are,
Awake,
Or half awake,
And maybe your mind is already full of thoughts about the day,
Or things you need to get done,
Or stuff you'd rather not be thinking about at all.
And maybe your morning mind is a bit restless,
Foggy,
Scattered,
Or tense.
That can feel a little jarring so early in the day.
So let's see what we can do to set things on an even keel,
For now,
And for the day ahead.
To start,
Give some attention to your body.
Appreciate its simple,
Reliable shape and weight.
And take a few moments to sense what's going on within.
Maybe you're holding onto tension somewhere,
Bracing as though something were about to happen.
Maybe the chest feels a bit tight.
Notice what's going on around the eyes,
And in the jaw,
Shoulders,
And hips.
You don't have to try to relax these parts.
Just let any tension you find be seen and known.
And perhaps each place will soften a little,
Just because you've acknowledged those feelings for what they are.
Now,
Notice the parts of your body that move as you breathe.
Some days,
You'll feel the breath high up in the chest.
Some days,
A little lower.
Some days,
It will feel steady and slow.
On others,
It might feel a bit ragged,
Or too short,
Or long.
And you can just let the breath do what it's doing,
Knowing that there's no right or wrong way to breathe.
And you could also let your next out-breath be a little softer and slower,
Just to let the nervous system know that everything is okay for now.
And allow yourself to be a little more relaxed.
Allow yourself to rest with this simple rhythm for a few moments.
And as you rest,
You might say to yourself,
I have a full day ahead,
But I can take one step at a time.
I don't have to feel ready,
And I don't have to fire myself up with positivity.
I can let myself feel the way I feel.
And I can let myself transition gently into the day,
Without rushing,
And without anticipating everything all at once.
I can breathe.
I can feel my feet on the ground.
I can feel my hands on the floor.
I can appreciate the simple things.
One breath.
Soft,
Slow,
Easy.
And if my mind jumps ahead,
Trying to solve or organize or prevent things,
I don't have to stop it.
I can just say,
Ha,
There's my mind trying to keep me safe,
Trying to keep everything in order.
And you can let your mind do its thing.
While you do yours.
Perhaps choosing to enjoy a morning brew.
Perhaps choosing to sit patiently during the commute.
You only need to meet the next small moment.
Take one breath with that intention in mind.
Not breathing in order to relax.
Not breathing in order to get to the next thing.
Focusing on the movement of the breath,
Simply to appreciate its rhythm.
To appreciate the simple fact that each breath is a gift that sustains your life.
And whatever state you're in right now,
Foggy,
Tense,
Flat,
Alert,
Let that be your starting point.
Start the day with the type of kindness that says,
This is where I am.
I don't have to feel like I'm on top of the world.
I don't have to feel at my absolute best.
This day doesn't require a perfect version of myself.
It just requires me to show up with the version that's here.
So let yourself start with this body,
This mind,
This level of energy.
You can carry yourself through the day exactly as you are,
Adjusting as you go.
And just before we finish,
Consider what might be the best way to start this day.
What would the wisest part of you suggest?
Perhaps you can sense a part of you that's not quite there yet.
Already steady.
It might be small,
It might be subtle.
But perhaps there's some place inside that has no need to rush.
Rest there for a moment.
You may not feel calm.
You may not feel prepared.
But you can take the pressure off,
Allowing the day to unfold at its own pace.
So take a comfortable breath in.
Let it go.
And when you're ready,
Begin your morning,
Moving at your own pace.
In your own way.
And if you'd like a little more support as the day unfolds,
There are two companion tracks in this series.
Workday Reset,
A short practice for stressful moments.
For any time you need a pause during the working day.
And Afterwork,
A gentle defrag for your mind and body.
For when the day is done,
And you're ready to unwind.
