Slow Living Morning Routine For Calm Mornings.

For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.

Lilly Tomlin

In the whirlwind of modern life, finding moments of tranquility can seem like an elusive dream, especially for busy mothers juggling all that you do. 

Social media, busy schedules and financial pressure can cause your brain to tumble straight into overdrive before you even open your eyes.

Yet, amidst the chaos, lies the profound simplicity of slow living—a gentle invitation to embrace the mornings with calm and intentionality.

Welcome to the world of slow living morning routines. 

Is slow living even possible for a busy parent?

Yes. It just needs a gentler approach.

It’s a sanctuary where the fast-paced lifestyle is replaced with a deliberate, mindful start to the day. A time to nourish your soul before the demands of the world beckon. 

Slow Living Morning Routine

You may not have enough time or energy for a 5am start and dawn yoga class, but snippets of slow living can be weaved through your morning. 

Let me show you how.

In this blog post, you will uncover the art of crafting a slow living morning routine tailored to the unique needs of you.

A busy woman. 

From simple self-care practices to mindful moments of reflection, you will soon understand how intentional mornings can set the stage for a day filled with balance, connection, and joy.

What is slow living?

Slow living is a mindful approach to life that emphasizes simplicity, intentionality, and presence. It’s about enjoying the little things, embracing a more leisurely pace, and prioritizing what truly matters. 

What can be more fitting for a busy mother? Taking the time to find more space for the things that matter.

By slowing down, you can cultivate a deeper connection to yourself, your family, and the world you live in. 

Slow living involves consciously simplifying your lifestyle, reducing stress, and focusing on all that brings you joy. It encourages appreciation for the small loves of life, promotes balance, and fosters a greater sense of well-being and contentment.

 It’s a gentle reminder to live with purpose and mindfulness in a fast-paced world.

Why are slow mornings good?

Enjoying a slow morning routine sets a positive tone for your day, enjoying calmness before all else. It promotes self-care, leading to improved well-being and resilience, before the to-do list waves for your attention.

A slow living morning routine means you can create more needed space for so many possibilities:

• Waking up naturally with the daylight
• Taking more time to cook a healthy breakfast
• Meditation and breathe work
• Getting outside for some sunlight and fresh air
• Creating new healthy habits
• Taking time to gratitude journal
• Doing a short workout session
• Enjoying your skincare routine
• Spending quiet time with your family
• Reading something for your personal growth
• Listening to your favorite podcast

Sounds good?

But where the heck do I fit that it when I have school lunches to make, bills to sort, and children to get ready Amanda?

Yes, this sounds like a tall order for a busy parent or woman, but let me introduce you to moments of self-care. As a home-schooling mother, I cannot take hours to myself in the morning, but I can fit in moments of time for myself.

Slowing down and smelling the coffee (or tea) encourages gratitude and deeper connections with yourself and your family around you. In simple terms, you make space for what matters.

When you take a few moments for yourself to start the day slowly, you offer yourself a big dose of self-love before you get into the to-do list.

For mothers, this goes more than simple self-care. This is the lifeblood of surviving those stressful moments that are bound to come. I notice whenever I take more time for myself in the morning, I can handle what the day of parenting throws at me.

Make a new slow morning part of your daily routine and see how your days transform. You might even reach for the snooze button less often in favour of your new gentle start to the day.

How do you start a slow morning?

Prepare before bed: The key to a calm morning is in the preparation. When you’re exhausted, all you want to do is collapse in front of Netflix before bed. But if you can use ten minutes to do some prep, you have the beginnings of a slower morning routine. Get your clothes out, maybe prep some breakfast (overnight oats are a winner), pack the school bags if you need to so you have less to occupy you in the morning.

Wake up gently: If you can, start your day without the harsh disruption of an alarm clock. If you have very early rising kids (like myself) you may have thrown away the alarm clock years ago. I still wake gently, though. Absolutely no television or devices in the bedroom and we always have a calm snuggle before getting up. Waking up gently sets a peaceful tone for the morning and avoids the abrupt jolt that can come from a regular alarm clock.

Mindful rituals: Begin your morning with intentional practices that center and ground you. This could include meditation or deep breathing exercises, gentle stretching to awaken the body, or journaling to reflect on your thoughts. Allowing yourself this simple morning ritual sets you up for the rest of the day. How do I manage this with children? Getting them a drink and setting up a 20 minute program on the television. Some people love morning baskets. Find whatever works for you to give you a few moments of peace.

This 10 minute mindfulness practice by Calm is a great way to try a little morning meditation.

Nourish your body: Take the time to prepare and enjoy a nutritious breakfast that fuels your body and mind. Choose whole, nutritious foods that provide sustained energy throughout the morning. Breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day and I know gives me the energy I have. Whole foods don’t need to be complex. Having a glass of water before you start the day (warm always for me). Making a bowl of oats and fruit to go with your morning coffee is the simplest way to nourish your body first thing in the morning.

Connect with nature: Spending time in nature in the morning uplifts your energy and calms your mind for the day ahead. We are all wild women at heart and we need to feel connected to nature every day. This could involve having a cup of tea in the garden, taking a short walk, doing outdoor physical activity. Alternatively, you could bring nature indoors by incorporating plants or natural elements into your living space.

Set intentions: Before diving into the tasks and responsibilities of the day, take a moment to set intentions for how you want to show up. This can be as simple as a few deep breaths to anchor you in the present moment or taking a few moments to write in your journal. Gratitude journaling or writing out your affirmations or goals helps clear and focus your mind. I do this over my morning breakfast. My children see me journal daily and ask to write or draw in their own journals with me.

Welcome in the light: Creating slower mornings is all about your morning habits. Should you reach for your phone or let yourself soak up some morning light?There is ample research about the benefits of natural light in the morning for your circadian rhythm (the sleep-wake cycle). Open up the blinds, take yourself outside, spend a few quiet moments sat by the window. This is a simple but good habit to start your slow living lifestyle.

Are you ready to start your own slow living morning routine?

Slow living starts with making daily choices about what you will give your attention to. The slow living movement was born from people wanting an alternative to today’s fast-paced world. The idea of slow living means different things to different people.

Hopefully, this post has given you enough routine ideas and tips to get you started on your own slow living morning journey.

Having a gentle morning routine has given me back my energy for the day. What would you use a slow morning for?

Happy slow morning to another wonderful day on this beautiful planet.

Amanda x