Intentional Mornings

I was on a really good track of meditating every morning, I had a big goal of 365 days in a row. I was actually making great progress and was up to day 160 and I missed a day.

I was so disappointed by this that I just stopped my meditation practice and was off track for months. How often do we do this? I mean, I think some of it is perfectionism. I lost my streak and I decided to just walk away instead of starting over.

In place of that time spent meditating in the morning, I started my day by scrolling. Then later I would wonder why I felt anxious and agitated. The scrolling would continue throughout the day. We all do it, but I don’t think that should be a reason it just becomes acceptable.

Filling my mind with other people’s opinions, all the ads and influencers, getting lost on someone’s page who I will never know in person or in my life. Time is so precious, why am spending so much of it not actually present?!

So finally after months of this, I decided to take action. This was on Monday, and I’m happy to say I’m 4 days back into my new streak. This time if I miss a day, I’m going to start over the next day.

That reminds me of one of my most favorite takeaways from Atomic Habits - never skip more than one day. It’s okay to miss a day, and of course if you’re unable to do something due to health or other factors, you take care of you.

In general, with habits - like building a meditation practice this works well. You feel less guilt or shame about missing a day. It happens! Using this idea of not skipping more than one day in a row, gives you permission to fall off and a reason to get back on.

Highly recommend Atomic Habits - this book was so helpful for me. Our habits make up our lives. What we spend our time and energy on is who we are. You can change at any time - this is your permission to move in a new direction.

So anyways, I started back on Monday. I also used to pull cards after my meditation. I know some are into it and others not at all. I enjoy this practice and find it to be comforting at times.

The card I pulled on Monday - from a Rebecca Campbell deck (the starseed oracle) was titled “All paths lead home” inner authority, intuition, turn your gaze within. Here is a little snippet from the guidebook on what the card means:

“If this card appears, you may be called to develop or switch up your spiritual practice. To get in the habit ofturning your gaze within - getting centered for the day - before consuming anything from the outside world. To start from a feeling of 'at homeness.' And throughout each day, to find simple ways to keep coming 'home.'“

I got emotional when I read this. I know cards can be “woo-woo” but there is no denying the alignment here.

I hope you feel encouraged to start your day for you, with intention, coming back home to yourself.