Mornings with Aiste

Mornings have mystical powers. At least that’s my take on them. I have been working on them for a long time. First, unconsciously, until I started believing what a great effect they have on my days efficiency. And that is when I invited the inner senses. I started to ask myself questions that have never occurred to me previously, since I believed we live by certain standard patterns in which we act respectively as a group and all of that is a normal behaviour which I should not question. It may sound as if I am making a big deal on the mornings now, and maybe I am, because I know how much a “good morning” can give me. Yet only very recently I became aware of what a “good morning” is for me. Just like choosing the most comfortable bed to sleep in to get that 8 hours of good sleep, we should be able to know our morning habits in order to have a day that makes us efficient, happy and calm. I share my little morning routines, that I hope can inspire you. Yet again – your morning is your morning, and only you may know what is best for you. 

A Tailor Made Morning Person

TO BE:

There is some hidden beauty in the silent hour of the day – the dawn. You have to find a very measurable reason though to make it your favourite time of the day. And once you are taking part in the mornings scenarios, you start understanding the very selective qualities and particular crowds it attracts. I am the 6 a.m. slot. Giving myself to the freshness of morning in the park nearby, I tend to daydream, plan the day or simply relax the mind before all that is to come. So yes, it has been around a year, that I have started this deep friendship with early mornings. Is it worth it – I would say yes if you leave some space for imagination and accept it not as a rule, but as a pleasure a day can give. (I leave Sundays for the unexpected and allow myself to enjoy other luxuries a morning can give – like reading with coffee in hand).

Yoga for the Mind

TO FEEL:

I love to do my yoga practice in the morning, since there is some exclusiveness in it. I feel that my house is still asleep and the nature around me is only opening its eyes. I adore the peacefulness I can receive from the outside world into my inside. Yet I usually make it a gentle practice with a nice playlist in the background. I tend to go with the flow and listen to where my body is taking me in the practice. Music helps me do it so I am quite particular with my choices. My playlists are there for you, if You are looking for something out of the ordinary. As per choosing the right yoga mat – for now, Yogamatters is my favorite. On my wishlist I have the hejhej_mats. I love it when the aesthetics meets the environmentally friendly philosophy, which in their case is what has fascinated me – being the first closed loop mat, is def something that makes my head and soul spin.

A Double Portion Please

TO EAT:

I could live for breakfast. Big breakfast is my things. Yet first – water with cinnamon, lemon, curcuma, pepper and a hint of honey which charges you for the day. Spirulina is also added which gives you green funny mouth corners – so if you try, don’t forget to look at the mirror before running out of the house. Coconut milk oat porridge or marinated eggs with porridge and nutritional yeast sprinkled on top would be my top favorite on the list. The marinated egg recipe was stolen from Barcelona – Bohl knows its field when it comes to vegetarian and delicious. It’s already on my dream list spots to visit after quarantine. Oh, and if there visit the nomad cafe just around the corner. For the porridge, I take the inspiration from Jasmine Hemsley and her amaranth porridge.
I take my breakfast very seriously and love every bite of it, because only after having a nourishing and happy breakfast can I start the day with a smile (did I mention coffee?).

Make it Fast and Effective

TO CLEAN:

That is the quickest part of my morning routine. I am very simple when it comes to morning wash – quick shower, few splashes on the face and brushing the teeth. Face receives the necessary from my favorite Laime Kiskune or Kiehls, my teeth love coconut oil and all things organic and my body loves the Loccitaine almond oil body wash– when you know your body, your mind follows – at least in the bathroom :). The extra minutes left are dedicated to cuddling Ukas.

Rush Slowly

TO INDULGE:

I am a morning person. Yet a very slow one. It takes two to tango and my morning tango is usually what makes my day good or not so good – if I rush, usually the outcomes can be seen during the day, I become less effective, more sensitive to outcomes and very tired by the evening. If I give myself time in the mornings, dedicate 15 minutes for a good read, enjoy every bite of my breakfast, find that time for a good coffee – count on me, I can become the best version of myself until next morning. The road has not been paved well from the very beginning, different techniques have been applied for years. But hey, who said mornings are easy? 🙂

You have to find time to find them. My advice would be to start from asking yourself first thing in the morning “what would I truly love to do know?” and see where it takes you. Be realistic – a green smoothie on the beach served to you every morning is not always an option, so see and explore new possibilities, try new things until you find something that you take in with happiness and calm. And who knows, maybe the best version of your morning is to rush out with coffee in your hand and your underwear inside out, because the morning adrenaline rush is what keeps you going. Be true to yourself, only You know what makes you a happy person.