Beginning the Day with Intention
The other morning, at 6:30 a.m., my daughter was getting ready for work when she said, “I can’t remember if I just took my allergy medicine.” I smiled knowingly. I’ve had those mornings too, when my head is already spinning before the day has even begun. There’s something about early morning busyness that can set us off on the wrong foot. You know, when your body is not even really awake, and your mind is already halfway down the to-do list.
I used to start my mornings that way too, moving on autopilot, reacting before really arriving in the day. But over time, I’ve learned that how I begin my morning shapes how I move through the hours that follow. So I made a small but meaningful change: I started getting up an hour earlier than I needed to. This quiet time allows me to ease into the day instead of rushing through it. And while my husband can’t quite understand why I’m up so early, this bit of “me time” has been life-changing.
Here’s how my mornings look now. My eyes open slowly. The old habit is to reach for my phone. You know, to scroll, check messages, and connect before I’ve even connected to myself. But lately, I’ve been catching myself in that moment. I pause and ask: Do I really want to start my day in conversation with the world before I’ve had a moment with myself?
That’s where my practice begins. Not with perfection, but with awareness.
Wellness, I’ve come to understand, isn’t about strict routines or doing everything “right.” It’s about the small, lived choices that support well-being. For me, that begins the moment I open my eyes. I start by silently saying, “Thank you, eyes, for the gift of sight this morning.” I take a few deep breaths, roll my wrists and ankles, and feel my body awaken. “Thank you, spine,” I think, “for holding me up and keeping me strong.” And then, a quiet prayer of gratitude: Thank you, G-d, for another day.
From there, I move into the day with intention. When I wash my face, I remind myself, “Today, I’m going to rub in the gratefulness of being alive.” In the evenings, before bed, I offer another thank-you to myself for making it through the day and for the safety and health of my family.
This is intuitive living in practice, listening closely to what my mind and body need, moment by moment. Just as intuitive eating teaches us to honor hunger and fullness cues, this morning ritual helps me honor my need for presence and peace before the world asks anything of me.
By slowing down, I start from a place of grounded awareness. And that small shift from rushing to arriving changes everything about how the rest of the day unfolds.
If your mornings have felt a little rushed lately, maybe this is your invitation to slow down — even for a few breaths. Notice what your body needs before the day begins. Feed yourself with gratitude. You might be surprised by how much more ease and presence you carry with you through the hours that follow.
If you’ve been craving a gentler start to your day or want to explore how intuitive practices can bring more calm and connection to your life, I’d love to support you. Reach out to schedule a session at rachel@livehealthynyc.com. Together we can create a routine that feels nourishing, realistic, and deeply aligned with you.