Hey there, friend. I'm Julia Cartwright, and I'm so glad you're here with me this morning. You know, it's early December, and I don't know about you, but this time of year hits different. The days are shorter, the to-do lists are longer, and our minds can feel like a browser with forty tabs open before we've even had our coffee. So today, we're going to create some space. Some real, breathing room for clarity and peace before the day demands anything from you.

Let's start by finding a comfortable seat, wherever you are right now. Your couch, your bed, a chair by a window if you're lucky. Feet flat on the ground if that feels good. And here's the thing – there's no perfect posture, no right way to sit. Just you, settling in, like a bird landing on a branch.

Now, let's take three deep breaths together. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four, hold it for a moment, then exhale through your mouth like you're gently fogging a mirror. One more time. In, hold, and out. Feel that? That's your nervous system starting to unwind. Good.

Here's our practice for this morning. I want you to imagine your mind as a snow globe. Right now, it's been shaken. All these thoughts, worries, plans – they're swirling around like snow in that globe. And that's completely normal. That's not a problem. But we're going to set it down, and we're going to watch together as things naturally settle.

So with each breath, imagine that snow gently drifting down. You're not forcing it. You're not pushing your thoughts away. You're just breathing, and noticing. When a thought pops up – and it will – that's just more snow catching the light. Acknowledge it. Maybe whisper, "that's just a thought," and return to your breath. In and out. Gentle. Easy. The snow keeps settling.

Continue with me like this for the next few minutes. Just you and your breath and that beautiful snow globe of a mind, slowly, naturally finding its clarity.

As we wrap up, I want to give you something to take with you today. When you feel overwhelmed later, pause and think of that snow globe. Take one conscious breath. That's it. You're already practicing mindfulness in the middle of your day.

Thank you so much for joining me on Mindful Mornings. This practice of starting your day with peace and clarity is a gift you give yourself. Please subscribe so you don't miss tomorrow's moment together. You've got this today. Go be wonderful.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI