My mornings are taking an about-turn. I used to be up at the crack of dawn, often a minute before my alarm went off. I would jump out of bed, shower, grab coffee, get dressed, and head out the door. I liked getting to the office before anyone else arrived. That quiet time was when I got so much done. I wrote reports, planned the day, and cleared my inbox. By the time my team arrived, I already felt accomplished.
That way of starting the day has faded. I still wake up early, but I no longer rush out of bed. I let myself wake slowly and think about the day ahead. What do I have planned. What would I like to do. What will I make. I might check messages, scroll for a bit, or play a few puzzle games. Nothing heavy. Nothing that pulls me out of bed too quickly. And nothing that creates stress.
My cat watches me for a while, as if something must be wrong, then settles down beside me for a short snooze. I now spend about an hour this way, and I find it changes the whole tone of the day.
Because this feels so new, I have been asking friends how their mornings have changed since they retired or slowed down. I hear the same thing again and again. Not just about staying in bed, but about how the whole morning feels different. Some, like me, take it slowly on purpose, easing into the day. Others enjoy a long walk at dawn and the quiet of sunrise. Some walk alone. Some bring a dog. What they all share is a sense that this is a precious time, one that allows space for stillness, reflection, and ideas to emerge.
We have given ourselves permission to start the day gently.
Why Slow Mornings Feel So Good Now
Aging changes our internal rhythm. Sleep becomes lighter. We wake more easily. We do not drop into the deep, heavy sleep we once did, and because of that, the way we wake also feels different. Our bodies and minds are no longer built for sudden movement and instant demands.
There is also something emotional that shifts. After a lifetime of rushing, solving problems, and meeting deadlines, our emotional energy becomes more precious. We know how quickly it can be drained. Mornings now feel like a doorway between rest and responsibility, and how we step through that doorway matters.
We no longer need to power up instantly. Slow mornings help us step into the day in a way that feels more aligned, calm, and grounded.
The Benefits of Slow Mornings
Slowing down creates a soft space before the world begins to ask things of us. That space is not empty. It is where we notice how we feel. It is where anxiety has a chance to settle instead of rising.
For many people, mornings used to carry a quiet dread. Another day. Another list. A slow start lets us move gently from dreaming into doing. It turns the morning into a small ritual of self-connection instead of a race.
The Physical Side of Waking Slowly
Our bodies also benefit when we do not rush. Jumping straight into movement or stress can send cortisol levels up. Muscles tighten. Joints feel stiff. Balance can feel uncertain.
A slow morning gives us time to stretch, to drink water, and to breathe. It lets the body warm up instead of being pushed into action. It reduces that sense of being hurried, which can lead to clumsiness or even falls.
Our bodies appreciate the courtesy of waking up slowly.
Slow Does Not Mean Lazy
Many of us grew up believing that productivity is the goal. If you were not busy, you were not doing enough. Even in retirement or semi-retirement, that old voice can still whisper that we should get moving.
But slow mornings are not about slowing down in life. They are about living with intention. They are about choosing how we begin instead of letting old habits decide for us.
We have earned this.
What A Slow Morning Can Look Like
A slow morning does not have to look the same for everyone. It might mean staying in bed for 10 minutes or for an hour. It might mean stretching under the covers before standing up. It could be a morning puzzle, a word game, or a quiet moment with a cup of coffee.
Some people step outside to feel the air. Some play soft music or sit in silence. Some write down one thing they hope for or appreciate. Others go for an easy walk through the neighbourhood and watch the day wake up.
There is no right version. There is only the one that feels kind to you.
The Ripple Effect
How we start the day shapes everything that follows. A gentle morning brings a more grounded energy. Our mood is steadier. Stress feels less sharp. Decisions become clearer.
That quiet beginning creates a sense of control and calm that can carry through the entire day.
Permission to Slow Down
This new way of beginning my day has become a quiet anchor for me. It is not dramatic. It is not productive in the old sense. But it feels deeply right.
My cat seems to approve. She curls up beside me, as if she knows that this slow start is exactly what we both need.
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Let’s Have a Conversation:
How do you start your mornings these days? Do you enjoy a slow beginning of the day or do you rush to get started with projects?