Imagine that you’re in bed on a weekend morning. As soon as you open your eyes, you’re comforted by the knowledge that this day belongs to you. You’re looking forward to this day, no meetings in tow. No emails to answer, no commuting to be done. You look towards the window and see the faint light of morning streaming in. A deep breath leads to a smile. You stretch your body and it feels rested and relaxed. The day is yours.

You get out of bed and there’s a beautiful stillness to your home. There’s very little movement outside of it, too. Birds are singing their quiet morning song, but it’s early, and you feel as if you have the world to yourself. 

You pull your softest sweater out of your closet and sleepily throw it over your pajamas. There’s no pressure to perfect your appearance; it’s just you and the rising sun.

There are so many beautiful benefits to rising early. You can curl up on the couch and read the book you’ve been meaning to finish before your plans begin for the day. Rolling out your yoga mat brings no counting of minutes – you have all the time in the world to move and stretch and be in the moment. Every sip of coffee brings peace and energy, and you have an opportunity to enjoy the whole cup. Going out for a run gives your mind time to be still in the silence of the empty streets – it’s you and the rhythm of your feet hitting the ground. What a perfect time to think, reflect, and just be.

There’s no rushing these moments. They belong to you. The world moves slowly and is mostly asleep. This is the time to do the things you wish you could do on a workday. These are the moments to do what will make Sunday evening a little less scary. This is uninterrupted you time. After your coffee cup is empty, you’ve sat up from Savasana and you’ve finished your book, there are fun things to do that can’t be done due to work. Have you been craving a full, home-cooked breakfast for ages? Crack some eggs into a pan, throw some blueberries into the pancake mix, pour a big glass of orange juice and enjoy the sweetness of maple syrup. Do you sit at your desk thinking thoughts of tall trees and green grass? Grab your backpack and boots and a buddy and head to the trail. You’ve got an early start, so you have the whole day ahead. 

Rising early allows you the freedom and peace that only early hours bring. Time doesn’t feel like your friend on the weekend, but when you wake up with the sun, you’re doing all you can to make the most of it. Enjoy the luxuries of a longer day. Do what you don’t always get to do. Be proactive in making yourself happy. Enjoy the day, my friends. Happy weekend!

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Jillian Murphy

I'm an active individual whose base is in Boston but travels often. I am a writer, runner, film enthusiast, and lover of the great outdoors. I strive to make the world a better place through philanthropy and creativity. ​​

Latest posts by Jillian Murphy (see all)

• The beauty of rising early - September 14, 2016
• Four tips for mindful eating - July 12, 2016