How I Reclaimed My Mornings—and My Sanity—One Hike, One Carpool, One Grace-Filled Choice at a Time
Let me guess: you're running on fumes. Your mornings are chaos. You keep telling yourself you'll get to you eventually… but somehow it's bedtime again and your soul is still sitting at the back of the line.
You don't want more on your plate—you just want to stop feeling like life's leftovers.
Friend, I've been there. Actually—I am there sometimes. But I've also learned the secret no one tells you:
If you want to stop feeling like you're chasing your life, you have to stop giving your soul the crumbs.
Here's What Shifted Everything
I stopped waiting to feel better, and I started choosing better rhythms.
It didn't happen all at once. But slowly, it looked like this:
A 4:50 a.m. wake-up—not out of martyrdom, but intention. Group strength training—not for abs, but for strength to carry the weight of my day. A trail walk—not for cardio, but for clarity. A carpool run—not as a chore, but as an extension of presence.
These weren't "add-ons." These were reclaims.
I didn't need a better schedule. I needed a better story—one where I remembered I was a human, not just a machine serving everyone else's needs first.
What I Used to Do: Serve Everyone, Starve Myself
When I didn't own my morning, the whole day owned me. I'd snap, spiral, or just get stuck in the fog. I'd over-schedule, over-serve, overthink. I was surviving—but not showing up whole.
Now? My soul gets the first serving. And that's not selfish—it's sacred.
Because when I front-load my joy, my wisdom, my movement, and my margin—I have more to offer. Not less.
3 Ways to Reclaim Your Morning (Even When You're Exhausted)
Start 5 minutes earlier. No miracle needed. Just margin.
Stack something you love with something you dread. Teeth brushing + high five or daily affirmation in the mirror. Hot lemon water + movement before coffee. Sunlight + gratitude.
Move before you scroll. Your feet were made for walking. Your mind was made for stillness. Start with both.
Two Grace-Filled Reminders for the Default Parent
If you're always last on your list, your list is broken.
Showing up for yourself first lets you show up better for everyone else.
A Soul-First Moment From This Week
Monday morning, 8:05 a.m. I'm sweaty, laughing with friends post-hike, music playing in the background, kids already dropped off. I felt awake. Alive. Full.
Not because everything was easy, but because I chose to show up whole.
Grace Embrace
If this is your season of scraps, I get it. I've lived it. And you don't need to overhaul your life overnight. You just need to reclaim one small moment and give your soul the first bite.
Let everyone else wait their turn. You've earned the first serving.
Want Help Making This a Habit?
You came here for peace and parenting tips. What you need is presence and permission to own your rhythm.
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