At Held, we believe that how you start your day can set the tone for everything that follows. Mornings hold this quiet, transformative power—a chance to root ourselves before the world starts spinning. But lately, I’ve been struggling with that. In the past, I’d wake up in the stillness before dawn, taking full advantage of those quiet, secret hours. The clarity I felt during that time—mind undistracted, world still asleep—made it my favorite part of the day. I’d brew my coffee, let my thoughts flow onto the pages of my journal, and then step onto my mat, letting my body and curiosity guide me.
But these past months, with the busy-ness of summer and late nights of work, it’s been different. The mornings feel rushed, and some days, I’m lucky if I can carve out 10 minutes for a few postures or a quick stab at journaling. I feel the tug of judgment creeping in, whispering, What’s happened to your practice? Where’s your devotion?
This voice has been hard to quiet lately. I still try to give myself full credit for showing up, no matter how brief or disjointed the practice feels, but even that’s gotten a little flimsy. I’m writing this as a reminder to myself that small moments do matter. Devotion isn’t about having the perfect, uninterrupted morning routine—it’s in the coming back, again and again, to whatever practice we can manage, even when it’s not quite what we’d like it to be.
Journaling for clarity
On those days when I can grab a few minutes with my journal, it’s still a powerful anchor. Reflecting on something I enjoyed about the previous day shifts my perspective and helps me start on a positive note. Then, I let my pen wander into whatever intentions I have for the day ahead. Writing it down gives my thoughts structure—it helps me find a sense of clarity, even in the midst of my messy mornings.
Moving meditation
When I can, I try to move. It’s rarely the long, exploratory sessions I once cherished, but even a few postures can reconnect me to my breath and body. These days, my practice looks like rolling out my mat and following wherever my body leads for just a few minutes. I remind myself that moving, even for a little while, can shift my entire mindset. It doesn’t have to be grand; it just has to be mindful.
Mindful moments
Most mornings, it’s the smallest practices that get me through. I’ll pause while my coffee brews, take a deep breath, and feel the warmth of the mug in my hands. Or I’ll stop in the middle of a busy day, set a timer, and just breathe for 60 seconds. These tiny mindful pauses remind me that even when I can’t find much time, I can still find a moment to ground myself.
The truth is, rituals shift. What worked for us once may not always fit where we are now, and that’s okay. Devotion isn’t about the amount of time we spend on the mat or how perfectly we journal each morning. It’s about showing up, no matter what. Even when our practice feels fleeting, or when judgment creeps in, the heart of it is in the returning.
So here’s my reminder, to myself and to you: small moments are enough. We can trust that the practice will always be there, waiting for us to come back, however and whenever we can.
How are your mornings looking these days? I’d love to hear how you’re navigating your own practice—what’s working, what’s shifting, and how you’re showing up, even in the smallest ways.
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