The other day I came across some YouTube videos regarding people’s morning rituals. This made me think about my own morning habits and what it is about them that has kept me in this holding pattern. Are they the result of some mundane unconscious behaviour or is there something deeper that has kept me circling?
One of the things that I like to do as soon as I get up is tidy up. My immediate thought was, Ah yes! My old friend control, but the next morning, as I tried to stay present through the process, I realised that my mind was relatively quiet. What came up as I was making the bed was that it was an acknowledgement of a peaceful night’s sleep and my way of saying thank you. Well, at least to my bed. The other thing that occurred to me as I stood in the space I had just cleared up, was that it was like pressing a reset button. A fresh start. A new day full of possibilities. Who knew I was such an optimist? That too, before breakfast. Except that a part of me has always known that.
The second thing I enjoy is making myself some tea. Those who know me, know my love for fine bone china. Choosing a different tea cup, taking out the white linen and picking a flower from my beautiful garden, all add to this morning ceremony. I can feel my friends shaking their heads. It’s true. Very Downton yet very essential to me. Beyond its basic narcissistic purpose of making me feel like a super star, I wondered if this too had its roots in some belief of mine. As I sipped my tea and allowed myself to really take in the moment, I felt that, much like the tea, I too was steeping in the artistry of the tea cup and the creativity of the many others who had been a part of this process of praise; all present in this moment of timeless beauty. For me this has always equated as sacred.
Finally, my favourite part of the morning is beyond doubt the backdrop of silence, which I’ve found to be akin to meditation for me. It helps me to let the day in with all of its sights and sounds. It allows me to align and centre myself but above all it allows me to honour the aspect of myself that gets lost in the different roles that I play throughout the day.
Before this starts sounding too idyllic or out of some eighteenth century English novel, I would like to add that there are plenty of mornings where I can be found on my sofa with a fast food breakfast sandwich, watching a reality TV show. That’s great too!
What about you guys? Ever wondered why you do what you do? It’s a good change from wondering why the Kardashians do what they do 🙂
Best
Afshan x
Easing into my day is a luxury I have come to appreciate most lately. They say I’m not a morning person, but I think otherwise. How else does one enjoy a morning, if not by lying in bed listening to the birds , the rain or some music:)?