Ditching the Dread: A Sacred Morning Ritual to Reset Your Soul

I felt defeated before the day even started

The heavy feeling wasn't new. For a long time, it was the first thing to greet me when I opened my eyes each morning. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, my days were dedicated to guiding others through the complex corridors of their minds. But my own spirit often felt burdened before my day even truly began, weighed down by the energy of my work and the endless hum of daily responsibilities.

One morning, after a day that had left me feeling particularly depleted, I sat on the edge of my bed, shrouded in a sense of overwhelm. The day’s obligations were already a loud chorus in my head. I felt defeated by a day that hadn't even started. It was in that moment of quiet surrender that a gentle, soul-deep question arose: "What if today could feel different? What if my spirit could lead the way?" This wasn't a command, but a soft, internal invitation to reclaim my own morning peace.

That quiet moment was the beginning of a profound shift. I chose to stop letting my days simply happen to me and started to intentionally, and spiritually, shape them. This led me to create a sacred morning practice, a small window of time carved out not to do more, but to simply be. This ritual has become the anchor for my soul, fundamentally changing how I experience my life.

You too can create a sacred space to begin your day. Here are a few grounding practices to help you reset your mind and connect with your spirit each morning.

1. The Gratitude and Intention Journal: Before your mind engages with the outside world, connect with your inner world. In a notebook, write down three things your soul is grateful for. Look for simple, profound blessings: the warmth of your blankets, the gift of a new day, the silence before the world wakes up. Then, set a spiritual intention for your day. It could be, "I will move through my day with a compassionate heart," or "I will seek moments of peace." This act gently guides your spirit from a space of lack to one of abundance and purpose.

2. Soulful Breathing: You don't need a special sanctuary; the sanctuary is within. For just a few minutes, sit in stillness and turn your awareness to your breath. Feel the life-giving energy of each inhalation and the gentle release of each exhalation. As thoughts drift in, see them as passing clouds and lovingly return your focus to the rhythm of your breath. This simple act quiets the mind's chatter and grounds your spirit in the sacredness of the present moment.

3. Grounding Movement: Gently awaken your body as a way to honor the vessel that carries your spirit. This isn't about an intense workout, but about conscious, loving movement. Do a few slow stretches, greeting each part of your body. Walk barefoot in the grass if you can, feeling your connection to the earth. Pay attention to the physical sensations, allowing the movement to release any stagnant energy and fill you with a sense of vitality and presence.

Embracing these sacred steps did not erase life's challenges. Difficult days still come. The difference is that I no longer meet them from a place of spiritual deficit. I begin my day feeling centered, grateful, and connected to my inner source of peace. This spiritual foundation allows me to navigate whatever comes with greater resilience and grace. By offering myself these few sacred moments each morning, I have found a deeper, more peaceful flow to my life. I invite you to find your own sacred steps and discover the peace that awaits.

Kelley Bitter is a psychiatric nurse practitioner, life coach, and mental performance coach. Helping others and herself with life's challenges. Love, Live, Happiness.