After any weekend, Monday’s alarm tends to come with no small amount of reluctance. When it sounds, my first thought is about finding a corner to hide in with my blanket and pillow. My second is more sleep, with vague calculations in the fuzzy background about how long I can get away with this before the snoozed alarm sounds again.
For this reason, this day tends to demand a lot of coaching on my part. I have asked Buzz (cat) for a little help, but she’s in the opposite corner now, facing the wall and likely engaged in astral projection. I’m not on her level yet, so the best I can do for now is make coffee, then a list.
I hope to create something with this day, and to let what may be created live in me. Also, to redeem some of my bad habits, such as wanting to hide under a blanket indefinitely. I hope to keep my eyes open well enough to find moments of joy and share it. I mean to help where I can, and I am going to need some help doing this. To comfort and be comforted. To listen and hear. Not for answers, but music. I don’t know how any of this is supposed to work. May I find music spacious enough to fold me into its rhythm.
Stacey, this morning’s post resonated with me. I’ve been reading Atomic Habits by James Clear and thinking about my morning rituals. I make sure to get up an hour earlier than I need to, so I can meditate and write, write Morning Pages, jot down things I’m thankful for, and plan my day in my Bullet Journal. Not only do these rituals set the the pace and tone of the day for myself, they ground me. If I don’t do them, I feel untethered and unfocused. My productivity is far below what it would normally be. Part of what makes this hour so special is that I can savor a cup of coffee as I take refuse under my sherpa throw and allow myself to stretch into the day.
This is what resonated with me in your post: “I hope to create something with this day, and to let what may be created live in me.” I’ve been thinking a lot about setting intention. Intention is a creative act even when we set the intention just to see what happens. A true artist doesn’t limit themself to working with certain media; they work with whatever materials are at hand and use their creativity to experiment and innovate. Every day is a revolution of creativity. Thank you for inspiring me not to waste it.
Jef, thank you for echoing to me what you heard in this, because I needed to hear it, too. Without at least an hour of this ritual time w/ coffee and a pen, I am not sure I could ever make it anywhere. : )
Do hope you found your mojo.
Mine is missing in action today.
Thanks, Granny! I found my coffee, so that’s a start. : )
Essential brain starter.
Since when is wanting to hide under a warm blanket indefinitely a bad habit?
Pick a song, a good song.
Hah! You are so right, Ryn. Thanks for this perspective. Wishing wonderful music your way as well!
Mondays are rough for sure. Luckily my coffee addiction always gets me out of bed with no argument. Sometimes I even need to work to make myself stay in bed if I happen to wake up at 3:30 or so. I really love coffee.
Thanks for making me chuckle, Jeff. That is real coffee love! I’m definitely with you as far as preparing in the night before I go to bed so I have that to look forward to in the morning. I truly don’t know how non-coffee drinkers manage : )