"Each morning, I rush through coffee, check my emails, and mentally rehearse all the things I need to do before the sun has even risen. By the time the day ends, I have nothing left in the tank to enjoy much of anything. The season has long felt like it was slipping past me faster than I could catch it. Strangely, I feel disconnected from myself. Last year, I realized something had to give and my morning routine needed to change."
"My December morning "slow hour" is a gentle, carefully protected space at the start of the day - a time to focus solely on myself and on being present before life's demands and the holidays come rushing in. I slow down, savor the quiet moments, get in tune with myself, and set the tone for the rest of the day. During this hour, I don't look at my phone, open my computer, or even think about any tasks."
December often brings compressed days, busy schedules, and a sense of being swept along by obligations, leaving little energy to enjoy the season. Creating a dedicated, protected morning hour each December reverses that dynamic by prioritizing presence and self-care before tasks begin. The slow hour centers on small, intentional acts such as slowly enjoying coffee, listening to soft music or morning quiet, and avoiding phones and screens. Protecting that time reduces stress, increases attunement to personal needs, and sets a calmer tone for the rest of the day, turning hectic mornings into grounding rituals.
Read at Apartment Therapy
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]