Morning Stories: The daily rhythm
Loose structures, routines and calming the brain
I stayed in bed for an hour after waking up this morning. I thought I wasn’t done sleeping and was hoping to be able to close my eyes again. Instead I observed my thoughts coming and going. My hopes and dreams showing up in the dark room, more clear then when I think about them during the day. Is this how meditation works?
Yesterday I had a quiet day, reading. I finished one book, read another one front to back and wanted to begin yet another, when I realised that I had some books I’ve started a while ago and it was time to get back to them and decide if I want to continue reading them.
I’ve realised that I need a rhythm to my days, that my mind needs routine. The rhythm and the routine calm it. I feel better with a sort of plan. Stretching, breakfast, walk or exercise, writing, work at the library, dinner, reading. This kind of plan. Nothing detailed, nothing precise, just the idea how the day will go. To sit on the sofa all day and read is also a plan.
For today I have no plan and I feel anxious.The only fixed thing today is writing this. I still need to figure out the rest. Maybe a walk, or work in the garden. Or maybe some exercise. Definitely some reading. I should have thought about it yesterday. Or this morning in bed.
Building up a routine is not always easy, but I see it as a rhythm, a loose structure I don’t always have to hold on to. Because it’s easier for my brain to be spontaneous when it knows where it diverts from.