By Camille Giglio
This morning I’ve been thinking a lot about what we can do as mothers to reset our mornings, or reset our day. How many times have you wished to go back to bed and wake up and start again? Maybe you haven’t, but I certainly have had this thought many a time! I thought I would put together a little list of things I do to help re-start or re-set my mornings.
Go outside, just take a short walk.
Going outside for myself has always been the best thing to do anytime I need to take a few breaths, either alone or with my kiddo. If we’re getting agitated indoors, it’s very likely it will all instantly go away as soon as we step outside. When he was a baby, whenever he was fussy, I would strap on the Ergo carrier and take him outside. Instant quiet and just being mesmerized by the trees and flowers and everything there is to see. The other great thing about being outside, is usually my kiddo gets completely enthralled with something and I can have a few quiet moments to myself sitting nearby. We will of course play together outside too, but it’s so nice to have a few meditative moments alone.
Take a bath.
Definitely one of the best resetting experiences there is. A shower just doesn’t do it for me. I love soaking in hot water, and taking as much time as I need to relax. Adding goodies to the water is always a wonderful option as well - chamomile, calendula or rose petals. Essential oils can also be wonderful addition. Adding 1-5 drops of lavender, neroli, lemon, geranium, myrtle, jasmine or ylang can calm and invigorate the spirit. If you’re the only parent or adult around, get the kiddo or kiddos something to play with right in the next room or just on the bathroom floor with you.
Eat something!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve felt frustrated pretty early on in the day and thought to myself, man I really need a reset button today. And then realized, oh right, I’ve made sure everyone is fed except for myself. As mothers, we tend to make sure everyone else's needs are met yet forget about ourselves. Eating ahead of time - before anyone has a meltdown - is the best plan, and can help avoid many a freakout. The best morning guarantee for me - eggs, bacon, with some sort of veggie side, and something fermented. Go heavy on the fat and protein, light on the carbs, it'll sustain you for much longer.
Clean the house.
I have found that I personally get agitated so much easier if I’m surrounded by mess and dirty floors. I certainly don’t have time to be cleaning up all day every day, and my child does love getting out all sorts of things to play with, and so do I, we both love making messes. Current projects are always great to have out - but day after day of current projects, or piles of dirt and animal hair in the corners, plates of snack/food scraps, and the like are more clutter for the mind that can only wreak mental havoc and interfere with our inner sense of peace and spaciousness.
Put on a cute outfit. And a little makeup if you wear it.
I’ll never forget my friend Morgan telling me probably 8 years ago now - “if you’re having a shitty day, put on a hot outfit.” If you’re feeling down and need to start feeling better, looking your frumpiest is probably not going to get the job done. The best part is when you realize that you actually want to look and feel your best for yourself, and not always for someone else. If you really want to start feeling good all the time, what are the ways you can support that for yourself?
Have a dance party with your kiddo.
I’ve done this so many times, since Wilder was an infant even. When he was a baby, I would wear him, crank up the tunes and we’d dance around the room or around the house. When he was a toddler I would hold him and dance around with him and we’d have a blast. We still have dance parties to this day, and he is seriously the cutest thing I’ve ever seen with his dance moves. One song isn’t enough, consider a short play list of 3-5 to have an optimal effect.
It always helps that multiple times this morning Wilder has said to me “Mommy, do you know what I love?” I say “what?” He responds with “You!”. Later on he added “You are my best mommy.” I find that my child often knows how to push my buttons, but he knows even more how to console me. Even before they are speaking words, look for those little moments where they are telling you how much they love you, that may be they are screaming for mommy from the next room, but it’s because it’s you who makes them feel safe and nurtured.
I'm sure I'll think of more things as I go through the trial and error of life anyway. What are some ways that you restart your day? Leave a comment below!
Camille Giglio has a passion for igniting change in peoples lives globally. She was raised in an alternative household focused on healthy eating, spirituality, and unconventional schooling. Following graduation of high school, she left for NYC and studied Musical Theater at AMDA. At the age of 20, she leaped into a new dietary and lifestyle shift, making profound changes overnight. Camille would go on to spend over 8 years traveling and working with various leaders in the health industry, helping to grow their companies. She is the Chief Operations Officer of the online art school The Perrin Method, which she co-created with her father Dennis, a master painter. She is the Director of Three Lily Provisions & Farm, which she owns with NY Times Bestselling Chef Frank Giglio, and manages just about everything on and behind the scenes. She can be contact here
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