Embracing Change in Your Morning Routine
Dear Beautiful Soul,
Lately, it’s been harder for me to get up and do yoga and stretch in the mornings. This always happens in autumn, when the sun rises later, and I’d rather spend my usual yoga time snuggled under warm blankets, reading a book.
However, when I skip my morning stretches, I end up with hip, back, and neck pain. This is mostly due to my scoliosis (a somewhat mild variety, but it still affects my daily life). If I don’t stretch my back, everything jams up.
That means it’s a problem for me when I find it tough to make myself lay out my mat and do Downward Dog, Cat-Cow, or Child’s Pose.
I’ve learned from experience that if I don’t stretch in the morning, I won’t stretch at all that day. For me, it’s the morning or nothing. But what’s not working right now is going into my morning movement routine with a plan I made at some other point in the past.
For example, a few weeks ago, I subscribed to an online yoga platform that has tons of videos. I decided I’d do a video every day. But the me of a few weeks ago doesn’t really know my needs of today, in this moment, on this particular morning.
This has led me to reflect on what I’m truly devoted to when I do a yoga practice. Am I devoted to just these specific videos I’ve been liking lately? What if, instead, this time became a devotion to the present moment of my body?
Something I’ve been experimenting with is checking in with my body before I get out of bed. Instead of trying to stick to a plan my past self made, I sit and listen to my body today.
I imagine different options: doing a yoga video, stretching on my own while listening to a podcast, going for a walk outside, or using the treadmill. I go with whatever makes my body feel relaxed. I know it’s right when my shoulders drop, my back loosens, and I think, “Oh yeah, I could do that.”
And when it’s right, I don’t have to force myself out of bed. I find myself just getting up and doing the thing.
As I continue to navigate my mornings, I’m remembering that what I need can shift and change, just like the seasons. What felt right last week may not feel right today, and that’s okay. It’s not about perfection or sticking to a rigid plan—it’s about honoring where I am, right now.
So, maybe the next time you feel resistance around your self-care, you could take a moment to pause and check in with yourself. See what your body, heart, or soul is asking for in that moment. Who knows? You might be surprised at what feels nourishing today.
P.S. A book I recently read and loved is Bits and Pieces by Whoopi Goldberg. I listened to the audiobook, and I was completely drawn into her powerful storytelling. If you pick it up, you’ll find plenty of wisdom, humor, and humility. A quick note: there are some difficult stories, so I recommend checking out the content warnings on StoryGraph beforehand.
P.P.S. Coming up next for your soul nourishment is a Samhain (Halloween) ritual guidebook and video! Keep an eye on your email in a couple of weeks!
Disclaimer: This blog is a resource guide for educational and informational purposes only and should not take the place of hiring a life coach, a therapist, or of seeking medical attention. No information on this blog creates a coach-client relationship between us. You are fully responsible for the decisions and actions you take in regard to your life and affairs.