Since the start of 2025, I made a promise to myself: I would begin each day with mindfulness. No rushing to check emails, no diving straight into work. Instead, I’d take the time to meditate, sip my peppermint tea, and simply enjoy the early morning stillness. And let me tell you, it’s made a world of difference. But this morning, I found I tested the waters and skipped that mindful start. Spoiler alert: it was a mistake.

It started around 5 a.m., when I woke up with a head full of tasks. Normally, I would stretch, breathe deeply, and start my day with a few minutes of meditation, grounding myself for whatever lay ahead. But today I reverted to my 2024 habits, the list of things I needed to do overwhelmed me, and I thought, “Why not just jump into work and get ahead of it all?” So instead of sitting in the garden with my tea, I found myself glued to my computer, finalising contracts before the sun had fully risen.

By the time I left for the office, the stress had already set in. I felt scattered, mentally drained, and frustrated. I hadn’t even made it to work yet, and I was already exhausted! My usual sense of calm was nowhere to be found. My husband asked why I was so grumpy! I knew something had to change, so I made a quick decision to drive along the beach road instead of my usual route.

As I looked out to the ocean, I had a moment of clarity. The waves gently rolling in, the early light sparkling on the water—it hit me how beautiful this place really is. I’d been so caught up in the rush of the morning that I’d forgotten to pause and appreciate it. And that’s when I realised the true power of my new usual mindful mornings. It wasn’t just about the meditation or the quiet tea in the garden; it was about starting the day with intention, with a moment of peace before the hustle of the day begins.

Today, the absence of that peaceful start made me appreciate just how much of a difference those moments had been making. By focusing on mindfulness first thing in the morning, I’d been setting myself up for better days—calmer, more focused, and more in tune with myself and the world around me.

So, here’s the lesson I learned: skipping that mindful start isn’t worth it. From now on, I’ll stick to my routine. I’ll keep starting my mornings with meditation, stepping outside to listen to the birds, and watching how the spider’s web in the garden has grown overnight. I’ll continue sipping on my peppermint tea while noticing the lemons turning a brighter yellow, inching closer to the day I’ll turn them into lemonade.

It’s in those small, mindful moments that I’ve found balance. And next time the work pressures creep in early, I’ll remind myself that nothing is more important than beginning my day with peace. After all, the emails and contracts can wait, but those calm moments at sunrise are fleeting.

If you’ve ever felt like the morning rush steals your peace, I encourage you to give mindfulness a go. Whether it’s a short meditation, a quiet cup of tea, or just taking a moment to breathe and notice your surroundings, it can make all the difference. I’ve learned that lesson today—and I won’t be forgetting it anytime soon.