Gentle, Gentle
Added 2023-01-21 00:36:25 +0000 UTCI’ve been trying to start my days more gently. These photos are a good reminder.
Sadly I can’t just teleport Piper and some soft sunlight to start each day with sweetness but I’ve been learning to be mindful of the energy I’m flooding myself with as the morning begins.
Opening the curtains, putting on the kettle, feeding the pup and the birds, slow meditations on light and care. Much better than opening my phone and absorbing all the stresses of capitalism and the horrors of the world… (breathe!!!!)
For a chance to win two 4x6 prints from the last Sapphic Slumber Party leave a comment on this post and let me know: What do you like to do to start your day on the right foot? Any good tips to share? (And if you’re working on this one like I am, you can tell me something gentle you can do tomorrow morning to start the day with better vibes.) I’ll choose a random patron next week and send you some cute mail. xo
Heart & Piper (2017) - Photo by Guy New York
Comments
Not picking up my phone to check work things till after breakfast.
Terry Lewis
2023-01-30 17:16:46 +0000 UTCOof. It's hard in that sort of insecure situation. I hope you managed to find grounding over the weekend and gather some strength.
Harriet
2023-01-30 14:10:20 +0000 UTCI feel this! Looking back on what you've built is lovely. And that first-thing feeling of simply being in each others' presence at the start of the day - before we put on the mask we show the rest of the world - is such a joy.
Harriet
2023-01-30 14:05:27 +0000 UTCI've been sleeping alone more often lately while I'm convalescing. I'm a morning fidgeter, so it's been a nice change to know I'm not disturbing my partner when I get up early. I take a moment to myself to prep for the day, deal with any little things. This means we can then have breakfast in bed together at a more sensible time without fuss or faff, and devote our full attention to lounging and lingering there a while. This way we both feel like we've spent quality time together before we've even started the day! 🥰 (Not an entry, just something I wanted to share!)
Harriet
2023-01-30 13:56:44 +0000 UTCTop tier morning behaviour! 🥳
Heart
2023-01-23 04:14:05 +0000 UTCFirst thing I do is go downstairs to make a cup of coffee for my wife to have in bed. It's something she treasures.
Sunset Ridge
2023-01-22 22:43:00 +0000 UTCI’m sooooo with you. The freedom of “just 10 more minutes” is so glorious. I love going back to sleep. 🥰
Heart
2023-01-21 19:59:29 +0000 UTCCuddle time in bed with our two dogs, then coffee, then usually a bit of scrolling through news on my phone. The last part I do not recommend for starting the day right, though. My favorite way to start the day right is waking up a touch earlier than I need to, realizing I can sleep a bit longer, and then going back to sleep. Even if it's 20 minutes, somehow that extra bit always gives me the sense that I get to come to consciousness on my own time.
Nico
2023-01-21 18:41:11 +0000 UTCThe bonus of little littles are the many naps that are opportunities to also nap and restart my day as many times as I want 😄
Jess FG
2023-01-21 14:51:03 +0000 UTCI’m a big fan of setting work aside entirely. 😎 I totally get this though, that kind of work instability puts me on edge. I keep encouraging my loved ones who wake up and plug into work immediately to choose something else first, something for their own brain. It’s a good place to start. Yay weekends for giving us space. 💖
Heart
2023-01-21 14:32:16 +0000 UTCI like the slow down and honour simple things approach. It’s like, the opposite of capitalism and hustle culture. And it’s also how people lived for so long, it feels good to do it. Thank goodness for screaming cats to tether you to the earth. 😸😸😸✨
Heart
2023-01-21 14:29:54 +0000 UTCAwwwww this melts my heart. As a mom who was also not a morning person it amazed me how I could dig deep for these pudgy demanding creatures. 🥰 Love is a trip. (Also this joke is top tier. 🐥)
Heart
2023-01-21 14:28:15 +0000 UTCYessssss I love the machine but it’s killing me 😂❤️ also being intentional when I go to my phone about what I’m opening… creeping on my ex or scrolling news is not a good thing to do with my brain… replying to a text from a friend or doing word puzzles gives me warm feels. Making better choices is hard sometimes. 🙏 I think the lockdowns taught me that I really like the simplest parts of my day, they’re not things to get through, they’re nice things that make me feel good and grounded. Looking out the window with a warm cup of tea is important and good for the soul. 🙌❤️
Heart
2023-01-21 14:22:20 +0000 UTCStarting the day just being mindful of breath is so simple and soooo good. Setting intentions is great advice too, thanks! ❤️
Heart
2023-01-21 14:18:09 +0000 UTCOmg I do NOT miss being woken up by sore boobs that’s for sure. 💀 But I do miss the big smiles when you greet them in the morning. And the closeness of nursing. Sending you all the peaceful blessings during this lovely and exhausting cocoon existence. ❤️✨🐥
Heart
2023-01-21 14:17:21 +0000 UTCThis is excellent. And congratulations 🥳 Gratitude is such an excellent way to calibrate!
Heart
2023-01-21 14:14:08 +0000 UTCThat feels like a good thing for me to think on; my usual mornings are getting up and picking up my laptop and looking to see what I need to deal with at work and often then hurrying to the office. So I will think on this. Meanwhile, today is especially emotionally complicated because my company had large layoffs this morning (including the person who sat at the desk next to mine). I think what I am going to do to be gentle with myself tomorrow is to let it be Saturday and set work aside entirely.
Brooks Moses
2023-01-21 04:05:29 +0000 UTCYour description of that reminds me fondly of how one of the things I most remember about my father is the way that he was always there for me in my little-kid energetic emotionality but was also calm and imperturbable in how he responded to it. I hope that's something I'm passing along to my kids too.
Brooks Moses
2023-01-21 03:56:12 +0000 UTCi've been in a huge funk for like a year solid now so haven't been doing this lately, but my ideal morning routine is: -wake up, feed the cats (who are possibly screaming at me or running circles on the bed) -wash my face, make some tea -say hymns and make offerings to various gods, the land, and my ancestors -make breakfast for me and my partner
Emily Stewart
2023-01-21 03:37:41 +0000 UTChahaha that's a good one
Emily Stewart
2023-01-21 03:36:14 +0000 UTCEvery single morning I am woken up by my 4 year old thundering down the stairs to launch herself into my arms at the crack of dawn screaming "MAMA!" It is very disorienting and I am not at all a morning person. I like to have a dumb joke ready that I can recite while half awake. Ala "Why is a chicken so funny?" "BUHCAUSE"
Sarah
2023-01-21 01:39:21 +0000 UTCah yes, the machine where pretty pictures and friends live but also the beam of pure impending doom! 🥲 thank you for the reminder to take solace in the comfort and use of small tasks in our little lives
ꕥ d.w
2023-01-21 01:22:21 +0000 UTCWhen you wake up, taking a deep breath in through your mouth and let it out through your nose. You’re going to count to three while you’re holding your breath between inhale and exhale. You’re going to remind yourself that you were going to respond not react. Responding implies intention. You were going to remind yourself that you were going to assume positive intent. Unless you know somebody is actively being awful, assume they mean things in a positive light. Do these things no matter what icky task you have a head of you.
Readtale
2023-01-21 00:57:41 +0000 UTCAs a new mama, I’m usually woken by crying and sore boobs 😂 but once the babe has been taken care of and we’re up for the day, I make myself coffee and cereal and make silly faces and have little chats with him while I eat. Not always the most peaceful morning, but the most peaceful I can make do with in this season. 💜
Jess FG
2023-01-21 00:40:12 +0000 UTCThese days, now that we are in our own place, I just try to give myself a moment to enjoy having a home to ourselves. It helps immensely
Bronwyn George
2023-01-21 00:39:55 +0000 UTC
