My quiet spring mornings

A while back, my therapist asked me what life would look like for the Rosie who had "made it." She encouraged me to describe my ideal morning, noon, and evening in detail. I talked about wanting slow, peaceful mornings, and then she hit me with a question: "What parts of that morning can you live today?"

At first, I thought about all the things that felt out of reach. But then, I realized there were plenty of things I could do now. Instead of waiting for some distant version of myself, I decided to start living my mornings like the Rosie who had already made it. And honestly? It makes me feel like I’m living my life right here, right now.

Every weekday morning looks something like this:

My puppy, Poppy, usually wakes me up around 6 a.m. (her bladder’s got a schedule of its own). While she’s outside, I drink some water, then we head back upstairs. I crack open my window, letting in the crisp morning air, and listen as the birds begin their songs. If it’s raining, the soft pitter-patter against the glass makes everything feel extra cozy.

Poppy and I curl back into bed, she sleeps in her crate overnight, but mornings are our snuggle time. We sleep in until 8 a.m., then I get up, make my bed, freshen up, and head downstairs for breakfast. Poppy sometimes eats with me, but if she’s feeling picky, she’ll wait until later. Afterward, we step outside again, just to breathe in the morning air and to let poppy go again if needed before I make a cup of tea or coffee to take back upstairs.

As Poppy entertains herself with her toys, I settle in for a short meditation. I usually do 5–10 minutes, I like the ones guided by Laverndaire on YouTube. Meditation never stuck with me before, probably because I was doing it for the wrong reasons. I used to want to be "that girl who meditates"calm, collected, effortlessly in tune with herself. But now? I do it because it makes me feel good.

I tried meditating right after waking up nope, just fell back asleep. I tried doing 30-minute session which felt like a chore. Now, I do what works for me. I give myself grace when my mind wanders. I don’t force myself to feel "super calm" afterward. Instead, I aim for neutrality a place where I can make decisions from a clear, steady mindset.

I recently learned about something called core affect, the natural spectrum of emotions we experience. Going from angry to calm, or sad to joyful, isn’t instant it’s a gradual shift that moves through different emotional states. That’s why meditation isn’t about forcing yourself to be perfectly Zen; it’s about moving yourself closer to a place where your emotions feel manageable.

Once I finish meditating, I head to my desk and start work. Poppy knows the routine, she hops onto my bed and naps while I settle in. And that’s how my weekday mornings unfold.

Now, listen

My therapist also asked me to picture what an "unproductive" morning would look like. That was an eye-opener. Because truthfully? I won’t be at my best everyday but as long as I’m trying my best and showing up as myself, there’s no such thing as wasted time. Some mornings look different, but the heart of my routine stays the same.

I also watched a video recently that talked about creating menus for routines instead of sticking to one rigid schedule, you have different options based on your energy and circumstances. That idea resonated with me. Life shifts constantly, and having different ways to meet myself where I am each day feels like the ultimate form of self-care.

This brings me to the symbolism of my routine. I've realized that my mornings include several meaningful elements: tea, fresh air, meditation, and time with Poppy. Each of these contributes to my sense of peace, which is what I strive for: sustainable tranquility. None of these activities are rushed. I dedicate time to Poppy, take moments for myself, let the tea steep, and allow meditation to truly slow my pace. While my routine may shift and change, peace remains at its core. 

How These Mornings Have Changed Me

More than anything, this routine has shifted my mindset. It makes me feel like I’m truly living for me, not for some distant, future version of myself, but for the Rosie who already "made it." It’s helped me cultivate gratitude for my life as it is now and start my days without a lingering sense of dread.

Beyond that, it’s deepened my connection with my body. As I tune in more, through quiet moments, fresh air, and meditation, I learn to recognize its signals. This practice has become a way of grounding myself, anchoring me in the present,

Adapting to Change

Life isn’t static, some mornings feel effortless, while others are chaotic, sluggish, or just off. That’s why I love the idea of creating menus for routines, different versions of my morning that I can choose from depending on my energy, mood, or circumstances.

Instead of forcing myself into the same rigid schedule every day, I have options:

The Full Ritual (High-energy, ideal day) – This is when I follow my usual routine, step by step. The Gentle Version (Low-energy, but functional)  Some mornings, my body craves ease. Instead of skipping my routine entirely, I just simplify it. Maybe I swap out coffee for a nourishing herbal tea, shorten my meditation to just deep breaths, I still give myself structure, but in a way that feels supportive instead of overwhelming.

The Minimalist Reset (Overwhelmed, chaotic morning) – On tough days, I strip my routine down to the essentials: Freshen up and get ready, take Poppy out, do one thing that helps me feel settled and maybe that's just opening the window for fresh air. No pressure to complete everything, just enough to remind myself that I can reset and start again.

Having these options lets me meet myself where I am, instead of forcing an ideal morning that doesn't match my energy. Some days, I need the full experience. Other days, I need grace. The key is knowing that all versions of my morning still support me, and none of them define my worth or productivity. Funny how I talk about change cuz mine will change next week

I used to think I had to wait to feel like I had "made it," but these mornings have shown me otherwise. By choosing routines that ground me, whether my full ritual or a simple reset, I’ve realized that presence and gratitude aren’t distant goals; they’re choices I can make today.

And the best part? You can, too. Your version might look different shorter, slower, or entirely unique but whatever it is, let it be something that truly works for you.

Thanks for being here and taking the time to read, hope you find a routine that feels right for you, in whatever way you need. BYEEE