You know that feeling when the alarm goes off, you squint one eye open and think, surely it can’t be that time already?
I think most of us can relate to that, especially at this time of year when it’s still dark outside. Our bodies are naturally tuned to the seasons, the light, the weather, and the moon cycles. Traditionally, when it was dark we would rest and sleep, and when it became light we would wake and be active.
It’s not really in our nature to wake up and get going while it’s still dark. And yet, in the modern world, we’re expected to wake early, five, six, sometimes seven days a week, regardless of what’s happening outside.
I’ve really struggled with getting out of bed at times, particularly when it’s cold and dark. As I’ve become more in tune with my body and my own natural rhythms, forcing myself into rushed mornings has felt increasingly out of alignment.
This is where slow mornings and a morning meditation practice completely changed things for me.
How It All Changed
Everything shifted when I signed up for a 40-day transformation course.
I know what you might be thinking, it sounds a bit cliché. I’ve never been one for “change your life in 60 days” promises either. That’s not why I joined. I joined because I wanted accountability, and because I personally work really well with a structure to follow. I like a system. I like ticking days off.
When I started, I honestly didn’t think I’d stick with it. I just wanted to give it a go.
So I took the first step and I started. And that changed everything.
From day one, I had no idea just how life-changing this daily meditation practice would become.
Meditating in Bed
Each morning became a non-negotiable.
I’d wake up, go for a wee, and then get back into bed. Back into the warmth and comfort, all snuggled in. There is something so comforting in knowing that you don’t have to get up just yet.
I even trained my husband to bring me a pot of herbal tea.
I’d sit up comfortably in bed, pop on the meditation, and begin. At first, it was ten minutes, gradually building up to thirty minutes over time. Part of the practice involved sitting in silence, gently repeating a mantra in Sanskrit, which really pushed me out of my comfort zone.
Sometimes I’d take the practice into the greenhouse instead, and wow, that felt incredibly powerful.
This was last year, and meditating in bed is still a daily practice for me now. I even set my alarm an hour earlier so I don’t feel rushed and can truly honour a calming morning routine. I gift myself time, and I move slowly into the day.
What I’ve Noticed
I’m calmer. Genuinely calmer.
I love the metta moments, flowing love and kindness out into the world, and I carry them with me throughout the day. I’m writing about this now because I’m actually on my third round of this course and it’s coming to an end very soon.
Even when the boys come in and disturb me part way through my meditation, I stay calm. I answer them gently, tell them I’ll be getting up once I’ve finished, and that’s it. No frustration. Just calm.
There is so much beauty in the quiet and stillness of mindful mornings.
This practice has taught me that meditation isn’t about perfection. It’s about working with what you’ve got. When you go fully inward, it doesn’t matter what noises are happening around you. Some days my mind won’t quieten, and that’s okay too. It’s about acceptance, with very little resistance.
I choose peace.
I’m deeply grateful to davidji for his guidance and teachings.
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Making It Work in Real Life
Some days, especially right now, I need sleep. And on those days, I set my alarm a little later and choose a meditation that fits the time I have. Sometimes that’s only ten minutes, and that’s okay.
What matters is that I don’t skip it.
If I skip my morning meditation, my whole day feels out of balance. I feel ungrounded and out of rhythm. This practice centres me and supports me to move through the day with more ease.
I use the Insight Timer, which has a huge amount of free content to get you started. I eventually upgraded to the paid version so I could access the courses, and I use it regularly.
Gentle Tips for Morning Meditation
If you’re curious about trying this, here are a few gentle tips to help you get started:
- Start small and build up gradually
- Choose a teacher whose voice and style you resonate with
- Preview meditations before starting so you know you’ll enjoy them
- Sit up in bed rather than lying down (lying down often leads to sleep)
- Be kind to yourself, it doesn’t need to be perfect
- If you do fall asleep, that’s okay, your body probably needed it
- Consider setting an extra alarm after your meditation, just in case
Most of all, be gentle with yourself.
If mornings feel hard for you, I truly encourage you to give this a try. You might be surprised by how much a slow, intentional start can change the way you move through your day.
Slow mornings have become one of the greatest gifts I give myself.
If slow mornings, intention, and inner stillness speak to you, you may feel drawn to my sacred ceremonies and circles. These are gentle, nourishing spaces to pause, reconnect, and be held in community.
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