This is what I see from the inside of our humble abode, and it's one that greets me every morning. I'm a morning person through and through, ever since I started working. Mornings for me feel like a new start, another day filled with possibilities, and many new things to experience whether good or bad. Anything can happen.

Sometimes though, I admit my outlook isn't so positive; there are mornings when I simply don't feel like it, or I feel a surge of lethargy (and maybe a dash of anxiety) and I haven't even started my day yet! Can I skip the day entirely and fast forward to the weekend? There are times when I catch myself guilty with these thoughts.

But instead of feeling that guilt, perhaps it would be better to acknowledge the lethargic/anxiety feeling first. I've decided I will feel one emotion at a time, so before I go on ahead with feeling guilty, I will first say I am lethargic then get up from my bed and do something about it.

So I spend some time engaging in activities that would calm my big ball of nerves down. Nothing has happened yet in the morning, so this is the perfect time to find peace and calmness before opening my work laptop to start the work from home day. I think it's good to have an extended period of time to keep calm, especially now that our spaces of rest have also become our spaces of work.

Sharing with you dear reader how a calm morning looks like for me these days:

Reaching out as far as my body is able to

Streeeeeeeetch!! Stretching is important, and I've only really started appreciating this now. It's not only for when we warm up before an intense workout, but also can be a way to shake off the sleepy lethargic feeling swimming inside our bodies.

I don't really memorize stretches, and am currently building my own set, but I do follow along these three youtube videos: a 15 minute gentle morning stretch, and a 10 minute gentle morning pilates routine. Both are indeed gentle for the body, so I would recommend. If you have 20 minutes, I also recommend MadFit's 20 minute stretch for anxiety and stress.

Making spaces in my head

I've been using Headspace, a meditation app, for when I need to force myself to stop doing anything and just sit still. I do this with my eyes closed all the while listening to the recording. In the morning, I've done it for 10 minutes. For lunch, I try to do 15, then after work it can be as long as 20. I don't pressure myself though to do this every single time, but it's great to have these moments of silence.

The thing I like with Headspace is that it's just silent for the most part, and there's a narrator who interjects from time to time, to help you be more aware of your thoughts, surroundings, and breathing. If you're interested, here's the a referral link.

Saying hello to the sun

Whenever I wake up a bit earlier, I would be able to go out to my garden and catch the morning sun. My mom tells me 7AM is the best time. I try my best to walk around or just stand in a sunny spot for around 10-15 minutes. Seeing the bright sun and soaking its rays is always a good idea.

They say it's also good to at least look out of your window, balcony, or what have you, for as long as the sun's rays can reach you. Feeling its warmth after a night of being wrapped in our blankets can be refreshing.

Playing calming songs, or songs I can do a silly dance to

My dad is a big fan of classical music, and he has influenced me greatly in this too. In the morning, he would be playing classical music on the speakers of our living room. I personally like this playlist on Spotify, for classical mornings.

Also, my Discover Weekly playlist on Spotify is filled with gems lately. It's a hit or miss for me; most times it's a miss, but sometimes when there's that really good song, I cling to it and hold on to it! Here's a song I can do a silly dance to, Pop Star - Peachy!. I wouldn't describe it as calming, but maybe since it's quite upbeat and the lyrics are cute, it could be uplifting. : - )

Writing my intentions, thoughts, and checking in on myself

Apart from my work to-do's, which I think can wait later on when I officially start my work from home shift, I try to write about what's in my head lately. I forget easily, so writing is my habit that safeguards my thoughts before they slip away forever.

Oh how important it is to check on ourselves. Sometimes I feel like I'm overloaded with a lot of thoughts and I carry them all in my mind; writing is my outlet to bring them all out and make sense out of them. It keeps me calm, especially in the morning, for when the thoughts are so raw and fresh.

It is also always a good idea to have time for bible reading. I'm currently in the book of Leviticus, and the Lord has been teaching me things I never gave much thought about before. Always, always good to fight fear, anxiety, and even lethargy with His word.

After checking in on ourselves, then perhaps we can check in on others as well. Our care for others, such as when we ask how they are, will never go unnoticed.



How are your mornings lately? : - )

I listened to this playlist while writing this entry. I hope you have a lovely Sunday.