49. Morning Mindfulness

Kelsey

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Pleasant Spirit Podcast! I'm Kelsey, and as always, I'm here with Kyle. Today we're talking about something that's honestly changed my mornings—morning mindfulness. Specifically, how just ten minutes can totally shift your day.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, hey folks! I mean, ten minutes sounds so simple, right? But it's wild how much of a difference it makes. I used to think, "Oh, I don't have time for that," but honestly, it's like, if I can scroll on my phone for ten minutes, I can definitely sit and breathe for ten.

Kelsey

Exactly! And there's actually science behind it. Like, starting your day with a little mindfulness—just focusing on your breath or being present—can lower your stress, help you think clearer, and just make you less grumpy. At least, that's what it does for me. I mean, I still need my coffee, but you know what I mean.

Unknown Speaker

Oh, totally. And for me, I started doing a quick meditation before I see clients. I got the idea from Wayne Dyer—he always talked about setting your intention for the day. So, before I even leave my house, I just sit for ten minutes, breathe, and kind of check in with myself. It helps me show up for my clients, especially on those days when, you know, life feels a little Plinko-y—like we talked about last episode.

Kelsey

Yeah, the Plinko bounce! I love that. And honestly, I think a lot of people get intimidated by the idea of meditation, like it has to be this big, serious thing. But it can be as simple as just sitting and noticing your breath for a few minutes. No fancy cushions required.

Unknown Speaker

Right, and you don't have to be a monk on a mountain or anything. It's just about giving yourself a little space before the day gets rolling. And if you mess up or your mind wanders, that's totally normal. I mean, my mind wanders all the time. I just bring it back, or at least try to.

Kelsey

So, let's get into the how. If you're new to this, one of the easiest ways to start is with a simple breathing exercise. I like to do a four-count inhale, hold for four, and then exhale for four. It's called box breathing, and it's super grounding. You can do it anywhere—at home, in your car, even in the bathroom if that's the only quiet place you can find.

Unknown Speaker

Yeah, and if you want to add a little something extra, visualization is awesome. Sometimes I picture a warm light filling my body as I breathe in, and then as I breathe out, I imagine all the stress just floating away. It's kind of cheesy, but it works for me.

Kelsey

No, that's not cheesy at all! I actually did something like that with a friend recently. We were at the park—she was feeling anxious about a job interview—and I just guided her through some slow breathing, and then had her imagine the sun warming her up from the inside out. She said it helped her feel more confident and calm. And the best part? You don't need to see the sun to feel it, you know?

Unknown Speaker

That's such a good point. I mean, for us, being legally blind, a lot of these practices are about tuning into what you can feel, not just what you can see. So, if you're listening and thinking, "Well, I can't visualize," you can still focus on sensations, or even sounds around you. It's all about what works for you.

Kelsey

Totally. And if you get distracted, that's okay. Just notice it and come back to your breath. It's not about being perfect—it's about being present, even if it's just for a few seconds at a time.

Unknown Speaker

So, the big question is, how do you actually make this a habit? I mean, life gets busy, right? Some mornings, I wake up and my brain's already running a mile a minute. But I try to make meditation the first thing I do—even before I check my phone. Sometimes I just sit up in bed and start there. No fancy setup, just me and my breath. Sometimes I might use a guided meditation that we have.

Kelsey

Yeah, and I think it's important to be flexible. Like, if you miss a day, it's not the end of the world. Just pick it up again the next day. I had a client who thought she had to do it perfectly or not at all, and that just stressed her out more. So we worked together to find little pockets of time—sometimes it was five minutes in the car before work, sometimes it was while her coffee brewed. The key is just to keep coming back to it, however you can.

Unknown Speaker

And you can adapt it for wherever you are in your journey. If you're brand new, start with a minute or two. If you've been at it for a while, maybe you add some journaling or gentle stretching. We had a friend—remember, Kelsey?—who was totally new to meditation and also legally blind. We helped her build a routine that worked for her, using audio cues and focusing on touch and sound instead of visuals. She found her own way, and that's what it's all about.

Kelsey

Yeah, I love that. There's no one-size-fits-all. It's about finding what feels good and what fits your life. And honestly, some days are gonna be messier than others, and that's okay. Like we said before, it's about self-compassion and just showing up for yourself, even if it's imperfect.

Unknown Speaker

Absolutely. So, if you're listening and thinking about trying a morning meditation, just start small. Give yourself permission to experiment. And if you fall off the wagon, just climb back on. We're all figuring it out as we go.

Kelsey

Alright, that's it for today! Thanks for hanging out with us and talking all things morning mindfulness. We'll be back soon with more ways to bring a little more peace and pleasant spirit into your day. Kyle, always a pleasure.

Unknown Speaker

Always, Kelsey. Take care, everyone. See you next time!