Ways I Steady My Mornings
There was a time when my mornings began in urgency.
My eyes would open and my mind would immediately start racing — responsibilities, worries, decisions, what-ifs. It felt like I was already behind before my feet even hit the floor.
But somewhere along the way, I realized I didn’t want to live like that anymore.
Now I try to begin my mornings with intention.
Not perfectly.
Not rigidly.
But gently.
I don’t rush into my day anymore. I steady myself first.
1. Morning Sunlight
I don’t always do this consistently, but when I do, stepping outside for a few minutes of fresh air and sunlight, or simply sitting in a sunny window has been so beneficial.
Not for productivity.
Not for a checklist.
For mental clarity.
The quiet light of morning reminds me that I am not in charge of holding the world together. The sun rises without my striving. The day begins without my permission.
“His mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:23)
Morning light feels like a visual reminder of that promise. A fresh start. A reminder that God has already gone before me into the day.
2. Quiet Time in Scripture
My quiet time isn’t long. It isn’t complicated.
There was a season when I thought it had to be structured and substantial to “count.” Now, I simply anchor myself in truth and remind myself of the Gospel.
Sometimes it’s one Psalm.
Sometimes it’s a few verses I’ve returned to again and again.
Sometimes it’s just sitting still long enough to let my heart slow down and to turn my thoughts towards God.
Often, I return to Psalm 23:1–3a:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.”
My soul is restored in Christ.
Not in my busyness.
Not in my hard work.
Not in my to do list.
Christ brings me to calm, still waters. Not a rushing river.
And He leads me there. He doesn’t drive me there.
All of my needs are supplied in Him. And I can rest, knowing He has everything under control.
Peace doesn’t come from doing more.
It comes from remembering who is leading me.
3. Nourishing My Body
As part of caring for my body intentionally, I start my day with good nutrition.
Ningxia Red has been my go to for over 6 years. It’s one small way I support my immune system, energy levels, hormones, a healthy inflammation response, and overall wellness.
I also make a protein smoothie for breakfast — something simple, but full of nourishment and plenty of protein to give me steady energy as the day begins. After walking through seasons of stress and grief, I’ve learned that skipping meals or running on caffeine alone only makes everything feel harder. Starting my morning fueled well helps me feel clear-headed and capable instead of depleted before noon.
For years, especially after my husband’s death, my body felt fragile. Supporting it gently, rather than pushing it harder, has become deeply important to me.
This isn’t about chasing perfect health.
It’s about stewardship.
It’s about honoring the body God entrusted to me.
4. Morning WalksI love walking. I walk nearly every morning.
Nothing intense. Nothing complicated. Just consistent movement before my day begins.
Walking has become one of the simplest ways to get exercise and clear my thoughts before the day unfolds. The rhythm of my feet on the road (or treadmill), the quiet of the day, there’s something incredibly soothing about this routine.
Sometimes I listen to a podcast while I walk, something encouraging or thoughtful. But the real gift isn’t what I’m learning.
It’s the movement.
It’s the blood flowing through my body.
It’s the way it's helping me recover from a bulging disc.
It's the strength I am gaining.
It's the strength I am gaining.
It’s the consistency that I depend on.
It’s the reminder that forward progress doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be quiet. Repetitive. One step at a time.
After seasons of feeling stuck in grief or overwhelmed by responsibility, walking has felt symbolic too. I may not have all the answers for the future, but I can take the next step in front of me.
And most days, that’s enough.
It feels steady. Not overwhelming.
Like forward motion without pressure.
It’s something I look forward to every day.
Mornings don’t have to be rushed to be productive.
They don’t have to begin with urgency to matter.
They can begin with simple things:
Sunlight.
Truth.
Nourishment.
Movement.
They can begin beside still waters.
You don’t have to overhaul your mornings tomorrow.
Just choose one rhythm that helps you breathe a little deeper.
One small step that leads you toward still waters.
In the next post, I want to share the simple rhythms that help lower my stress throughout the day.
If you’re walking through grief and need a quiet place to process, I have created resources specifically for you in my Etsy shop, HOPE & HARMONY PAGES. These three digital printables work on their own and hand in hand with each other:
30 SCRIPTURE CARDS FOR GRIEF. If you know someone these might encourage, I would be honored if you’d share these resources—and my blog—with them.
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