Inquisitive Adventures

As we conclude the first month of the year, I felt it would be good to share my thoughts on one of my goals: sleep and slow mornings.

My entire life, I’ve tried to fit a mold around sleep—even attempting to join the 5:00 a.m. club. Today, I want to gently invite you into the anti–5:00 a.m. club.

Mornings have always been hard for me because my life has rarely centered around my body’s natural clock. I’m learning to listen to my body more. I’ve accepted that I’m not a morning person, and waking up an hour before work every day often sets me up for a rushed mindset—making me more vulnerable to stress and pressure. Instead, I’m choosing to commit to slow mornings and rest, rather than the pressure to always be on the go.

How am I changing my morning routine?

I’m committing to a slow wake-up and no longer forcing myself to get up super early. I start my mornings by turning on the lights in my bedroom, playing worship music, praying before my feet touch the floor, and reading a short devotional.

I’m also adding gentle movement to my mornings. Nothing time-consuming—just five to fifteen minutes of stretching. By adding about twenty minutes to my routine without waking up at 5:00 a.m., my body gets the rest it needs.

When I follow through with this new rhythm, I notice a difference in how I feel mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Life still brings challenges, but I feel more equipped to handle them with confidence—especially compared to mornings when I rush at the last minute or pressure myself to wake up far earlier than my body can sustain.

Matthew 11:28–30 reminds us:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I think we often carry pressures we were never meant to hold. Sometimes, that pressure shows up quietly—hidden in our schedules, routines, and expectations of ourselves.

Slow mornings have become my way of laying those burdens down.

Maybe slow mornings won’t look the same for everyone. For me, they’ve become a small act of trust—trusting that rest is not wasted time, and that God meets us gently where we are. If your mornings feel heavy or rushed, perhaps there’s an invitation waiting there too. Not to do more, but to receive rest.