Have you heard about Abundant Mama’s 10-Day Rise and Shine Challenge? It’s a way for busy mamas to start the day with peace, intention and mindfulness (and, most of all, some quiet!). It’s a way to get some much-needed “me-time” in the mornings and take care of ourselves before we have to take care of our kids. It emphasizes the “early to bed, early to rise” mentality and really hones in on creating a mindful start to the day — for the sake of ourselves and our families.
I’m not a morning person, but I’m hoping this challenge will help me change my habits. I want to be a morning person, but I also like to work at night after the kiddo’s gone to bed … and then unwind with some mindless television or Internet surfing afterward. By the time I look up at the clock, it’s 11 pm. I also like to sleep in and savor as many minutes as possible in my comfy bed. My husband likes to remind me that I can’t have it all — and I can’t create more hours in the day — so something’s got to change.
Today was Day 1 of the challenge. I woke up 50 minutes before my toddler, took a shower, put on clothes and make up (make up!), had a hot cup of coffee while sitting in silence and checking my emails/Facebook and petting my dog (giving him some one-on-one attention). By the time my daughter woke up, I was ready to face the day. We didn’t do the “crazy morning rush dance” where I’m trying to feed her breakfast, pack her lunch, get her dressed and ready for daycare, get myself dressed and ready for the day, why did she take off her socks for the 19th time and where are my keys, go, go, go!!!
Our morning was conducted at a leisurely pace. There was even a lightness and buoyancy to it. No mad dash. No crazy rush. Instead, we enjoyed a simple breakfast at the dining table together, I got her dressed and we were out the door.
If every morning can be like this morning, then it’s worth getting up an hour early.
