The Miracle Hour: Waking Up an Hour Early
It’s referred to as the miracle hour around my house. A block of time full of possibility and potential. A time to set my intentions for the day and build up stamina for the demanding day ahead.
It wasn’t always like this. I had quite a few irrational alarm routines: I’d set my alarm for the last possible minute I had to get up to trick myself out of hitting the snooze button. Or I’d wake up every 9 minutes with that nuisance of a snooze button. And my personal favorite, I’d set my alarm an hour early just so I can peek at the clock and be relieved I have an hour left of sleep. Not doctor recommended.
In the summer of 2018, those silly routines ended for me. I began getting out of bed an hour earlier than I had to. While it wasn’t easy during that first week of transition, it’s always been a small sacrifice for a huge reward. And the reward keeps me coming back each morning.
The miracle hour was the answer to the many questions I kept asking as a full-time working mom who also wants to prioritize her health, family, friendships, and community. There are plenty of discussions on the “can women have it all” front – that’s not where I’m going with this. I’m simply recommending one extra hour to give attention to the part of your life that feels a bit out of control. The part that is getting pushed to the bottom of the to-do list every week.
Some mornings I sit and fold a pile of laundry that has been pushed from room to room for weeks. Some miracle hours, I pour myself a tall glass of water and get to reading that pile of articles my Dad hand-picked for me from our local Pennsylvania newspaper. Some mornings I turn on my favorite podcast, grab my sneakers and walk out the door before I can change my mind.
A few things I don’t do during my miracle hour: catch up on email, watch tv, look at my phone.
It’s worth noting that ideally the miracle hour is a time when the rest of your house is asleep. Before the world and it’s many demands have hit you. That’s why it’s vital you don’t start your day by rolling over and reaching for your phone before you’re even out of bed. It’s okay, we all do it. I just see a world beyond that habit, and I want you to experience it too.
Your morning routine sets the tone (and your resilience level) for the rest of the day. Is it time to revisit yours?
