About a year ago when someone recommended this to me, I thought they were completely and utterly crazy. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re thinking the same thing about me right this second. If you’re reading this, most likely you’re a tired parent who cherishes those extra zzz’s first thing in the morning, — especially if your little ones have been keeping you awake most nights.
You Matter Monday tip: Wake up and start your day before anyone else in the house gets up.
Prior to beginning a habit of quiet time in the morning, I would sleep up until my boys would wake up anywhere between 6:30-6:50 a.m. I would do a mad dash to get myself up and situated, deal with children needing me and all of my attention right away and then be thrown into the crazy day already feeling frazzled. As an in-home child care provider for my sons as well other children, I would have to be in full-on Mommy and Ms. Irene mode from the time the alarm went off — the first time.
In the fall of 2013 I decided to give the quiet time suggestion a try. Believe me, I resisted it. I went into it kicking and screaming and wondering why would I do this to myself. I have to admit, however, it was been one of the BEST things I have ever done for myself and my family. As I implemented a quiet time in the morning, my days started off more peacefully and it set the tone for the rest of the day. I quickly began feeling like I could handle anything.
What does my quiet time look like?
- I wake up and set a positive intention for the day.
- I breathe deeply and do some belly breathing to help wake me up.
- I think about all the things I am thankful for on this new day. Sometimes it starts with “I’m thankful for this new day, this bed to sleep in, the coffee I’ll drink, that my children slept through the night. “ Nothing is too little or big to be thankful for.
- I go to my quiet time space, which is the couch downstairs and read my devotionals and Bible.
- At 6:30 I wrap up and get ready for the day. When my boys wake up, they pile up in bed and we read our morning devotional as a family.
This is just an example of how my day starts. Feel free to follow this template or create your own. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Just get started, let it be your own personal quiet time and allow it to mold into something you enjoy doing more and more every day. Check out my video here to learn how my quiet time evolved over time.
I have many other resources I’d be happy to share with you if you’re interested, but the main thing is to just get started! Give this challenge a try for at least 2 weeks and see if it makes a difference in your life.
May you be the perfectly imperfect mom you were designed to be.
Enjoy your quiet time in the morning before the house wakes up!
#TakeCareOfYou
The #YouMatterMonday Challenge Begins! See the details here!
