Welcome to Gingerbread Cottage
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Facebook Group
  • The Front Porch
    • Meet Jeanine
    • Hygge Lifestyle
    • Contact Jeanine
  • The Cozy Corner
  • The Tea Room
    • Daily Tea Rituals
  • The Closet

Slow Morning Routines

2/8/2021

22 Comments

 
Picture

Mornings are often a favorite part of my day, because, most mornings, I can take as much time as I want to move through my slow morning routine. But even on busier mornings, I make it a point not to rush, because rushing stresses me out and it can set the tone for my whole day in a way I don't want.

If one of the changes you want to make this year is to create a slower lifestyle, start with your morning routine. Here are some ways you could do it...

Slow Morning Routine: Try Morning Meditation


You deserve to take time each day to get grounded and centered. Meditation is a great way to do that, and if you can do it every day, you may find it helps in creating your slow living lifestyle in other ways.

Now, ideally, you would take 20 minutes or longer, from what I have read. And some experts recommend doing that twice a day.

But even if you only have ten minutes, it would make a positive difference.

​
Here are some ideas...

(1) The easiest way might be to simply sit quietly for ten minutes, focusing on breathing deeply and slowly.

(2) You also could meditate on chosen words or phrases, or affirmations, like “breathing in peace,” or “I am centered and grounded,” or “God is with me.”

(3) Your ten-minute meditation could be a walking meditation, spent quietly observing nature.

(4) You could use a guided meditation that is only ten minutes long.

(5) You might spend your ten-minute meditation imagining a peaceful scene, and picturing yourself there. If the weather outside is frightful, staying in and imagining it, instead, might be better.

There are endless variations on these ideas and other ones you can try. The main thing to know is that you don’t have to give up on meditating just because you don’t have much time.

Taking time out to pause during a busy morning will always be a good idea even if that amount of time is short.

And on the weekend, you can give yourself more time to meditate.

For example, you could meditate on an intention you have set, and take the time to imagine it manifesting, taking in every detail you can think of and really placing yourself there, right in the middle of it.

I do that kind of visualization every day.


But you could save it for weekends, if that's when you have more time. If you did that, you might try shorter versions during the week, just to stay connected to whatever you are manifesting.
Meditation, visualization, prayer, and journaling are all powerful activities that go very well together. But the journaling portion is where you solidify, clarify, affirm, and strategize your insights, goals, and plans. This morning journaling session only needs to be 5-15 minutes. – Benjamin Hardy,
Ph.D, in Better Humans, Medium.com
​

Slow Morning Routine: Journaling


As Dr. Hardy said, one of the best ways to use journaling is to affirm and support your meditation practice, especially if you are focused on manifesting something you want to create in your life.

Here are other ideas for using time each morning for a slow morning journaling practice...

Write down any insights you gained during brief moments of meditation or prayer.

Choose a topic for exploration and write down any thoughts that come up during that time.

Write about how you would like for the day to go, and what would be the best outcomes you can imagine for all that you have planned.
With a cup of tea, we are invited to relax into all of ourselves, not letting the busy mind run the show. Allow any questions, reflections, or contemplations, but set aside to-dos for later. Keep breathing deeply, savoring your tea and any chosen mindful activity, landing ever more in the refuge of the present moment. – Katy Taylor, PlumDeluxe.com

Slow Morning Routine: Time for Morning Tea


Do you love tea, too?

If you do, then, instead of skipping your cup of tea on your busiest mornings, just make a smaller cup. That way, you still get to have it, even though it isn’t the normal amount you are used to drinking.

But when you do have more, settle in with a big cup of tea and give yourself a chance to pause and relax.
​

Slow Morning Routine: Tealight Candles


Even taking a few moments to breathe in the scent of a favorite candle might make a difference in your morning, and help you start it without the stress of rushing to get things done.

Do you have a slow morning routine?

See you tomorrow!
Picture
22 Comments
Brenda Fluharty
2/8/2021 03:08:26 am

How you start your day does have a big impact on the rest of it. I do my writing in the morning. That makes for a happier me.

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 07:00:54 pm

It really does, Brenda! I find I have to do the most important things then, or I will run out of fuel and not get to them.

Reply
Cheryl
2/8/2021 07:14:47 am

I love reading your blog everyday. I now love to have slow mornings and like your suggestions. I have started to set aside 5-10 minutes when I first wake up. Even before I get out of bed, I set 2 intentions for the day ahead, think about what I’m grateful for, and say at least affirmation. During the day, I’ve started to pray with the angels (a meditation).

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 07:01:42 pm

Oh, that's beautiful!! I do the same thing! I set my intentions, even before I get out of bed.

Reply
Roy A Ackerman, PhD, EA link
2/8/2021 11:16:36 am

In my past lives, your leisurely start to the morning was my normal. But, since I elected my new business plan, I have three days a week when my deck must be cleared by 8 AM. Three days a week by 9 AM. As such, I upped my 'rise and shine' time by 40 minutes, so I can read my papers, cover the evening and night time "must dos", perform my morning prayers, and be ready for the client's needs at the desired start time.
Not quite so leisurely, but not rushed into panic either.

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 07:03:15 pm

Well, that's important, Roy! As long as you can still avoid that rushed feeling, that's what matters, in my opinion. I know you're handling it all. I have full confidence.

Reply
Samantha Taki link
2/8/2021 11:38:52 am

Jeanine, I love these suggestions. I have never done the meditation thing, but do love my tea (not a coffee person). I usually grab my tea and slowly wake up by reading emails, comments, etc. However, I might try putting on some peaceful music, relaxing, and drinking my tea. See if that centers me or helps me feel less stressed. We can all use that in our lives. Thanks for a wonderful post.

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 07:04:35 pm

Oh, thanks, Samantha! You are most welcome. I think you will find that it does center you. Even if you just take a moment or two before reading the emails. I find it very grounding, and I need that.

Reply
Amanda Myers link
2/8/2021 01:59:21 pm

I spend time every morning petting my 6 cats.

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 07:05:19 pm

Ooh, that sounds very soothing!! Great way to start the day.

Reply
Francine link
2/8/2021 04:05:15 pm

Thank you for these suggestions. I generally wake up slowly with a cup of coffee, but I have wanted to add journaling to my wake up routine. I also love the idea of burning a candle and will start doing that tomorrow!

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 07:05:51 pm

Neat!!! I bet you'll love it!

Reply
Tucker Luke
2/8/2021 06:23:11 pm

I agree with some others who have commented that getting off to a good start in the morning is essential to having a great day. Nice article.

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 07:07:00 pm

Thank you! I really do think so, too. Because boy, when that doesn't happen, it can feel like you're playing catch up for the rest of the day.

Reply
Angela Vallejo link
2/8/2021 07:20:32 pm

I have found that taking some of my morning time to read a couple chapters in a fun book helps toward being more positive in the rest of the day. It also gives me a clear mind to write. :)

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 09:16:05 pm

I find the same thing is true for me! If I start out with something fun, it helps my whole day.

Reply
Lily Leung link
2/8/2021 08:33:07 pm

Nice to see you here again, Jeanine. I meditate for 20 minutes every morning listening to someone on Youtube and sipping my tea. Then I sew for an hour making a log cabin quilt square. It is meditative also. I will try to journal about it after this challenge.

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 09:17:15 pm

That's wonderful, Lily!! I rarely meditate for that long, but every once in a while, I do.

Reply
Martha link
2/8/2021 08:51:49 pm

OMG talking about tea, I love hot tea in the morning. I just received some Armenian Mountain Tea from a friend, delicious! Also as for morning, I need to get moving as soon as my feet hit the floor. I've been taking Rusty for a walk early, early morning and that really gets my day going.

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/8/2021 09:19:09 pm

Wow! I really admire that, Martha!! I cannot get going as soon as my feet hit the floor. But I'm with you on the hot tea in the morning.

Reply
Kebba Buckley Button link
2/8/2021 10:18:18 pm

Jeanine, as you say, it's so important to start your morning well. I get up before my husband, turn on the lights and adjust the thermostat, then step outside and greet God and pray. I often get messages while I'm praying, so I journal out what I'm hearing in the Notes section of my iPhone. I may or may not get further quiet moments during the day. Btw, I teach meditation and have a book, "Sacred Meditation--Embracing the Divine". Your summary of methods is masterfull!

Reply
Jeanine Byers link
2/9/2021 12:10:12 am

It's like you are the keeper of the sacred morning in your home. I can feel that, Kebba! Your morning practice sounds lovely.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Hi, I'm Jeanine

    Author, hygge lifestyle blogger & connoisseur of delight writing about how to create a hygge lifestyle, with hearthcraft, comfy capsule wardrobe tips and cozy home decorating ideas. More here.
    ​

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    December 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017

    Categories

    All
    Afternoon Tea
    British Tea Party
    Cozy Lifestyle
    Home Decor Ideas
    Hygge Home
    Hygge Lifestyle
    Hygge Style
    Romance Movie: Hallmark
    Signature Style
    Style Guide

    Picture
    Join my Hygge Lifestyle Facebook Group

PRIVACY POLICY:
click here to read it

Welcome! I'm so glad you have come for a visit. I hope you find exactly what you are looking for here. In fact, I hope you'll be comfy & cozy as you take a look around.
Disclosure: Some of my blog posts, or other website pages contain Amazon or other affiliate links for my books, or other books, products or services I recommend. So that means that I may receive a commission or other compensation if you purchase something I've shared with you here.
Photos used under Creative Commons from katrienberckmoes, Abd_Mohrat, Lise1011, schizoform, frederic.gombert, Maria Eklind, wuestenigel, CoCreatr, A_Peach (offline until Xmas), David Paul Ohmer, pom'., wuestenigel, TheUglySweaterShop, Misha Sokolnikov, Carol (vanhookc), Infomastern, Spencer Means, wuestenigel, Me in ME, MattCC716, Maria Eklind, marcoverch, Lise1011, VinothChandar, Ric Capucho, jeffreyw, Handolio
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Facebook Group
  • The Front Porch
    • Meet Jeanine
    • Hygge Lifestyle
    • Contact Jeanine
  • The Cozy Corner
  • The Tea Room
    • Daily Tea Rituals
  • The Closet