I never used to be a morning person. Ever since I was a child, way before my preteens, I preferred to stay up late. Even though I was an only child, and I never had a tv or a phone in my room, I still stayed up. I’d listen to my records, with the volume turned way down, or I’d escape my own reality and dive into the stacks of books I’d check out weekly from the public library. Often, I’d finish each of those books in one day, usually by staying up late. I remember school nights being so difficult, I’d have trouble falling asleep and slowing my mind down. I’d often toss and turn all night, and once I did fall asleep it’d feel like only minutes had passed, morning would come and my alarm would blare.
Mornings were rough. For all those nights that my mind would wander or stay awake long after my body wanted to, by morning my mind had shut down. I’d sleep straight through my alarm, and we don’t even want to talk about what I’d put my mom through in the morning during those teenage years.
It just was not my thing.
Even when I finished school and ventured into the workforce, it was a struggle to get up and go about my day. My body just could not get used to going to sleep at a reasonable hour, and waking up in a timely manner. I wasn’t made for that.
My first two children were like me, night owls. They were most definitely not morning people either and getting to school and work was a daily struggle. It really wasn’t until I had my last child and had been a stay at home mom for a few years that I really began to appreciate mornings.
Sometimes I’d wake up before the kids, before the morning rush, to enjoy my coffee alone or work on my blog in those quiet moments during the wee hours of the mornings.
I’ve begun to appreciate rising before the sun. I feel like I can get so much more accomplished as an early riser, and sometimes I even catch a glimpse of the sun rising and the birds singing. Each day really is a new beginning, and watching a new day form can be such a spiritual experience. It’s my namesake, after all.
Our family routine varies quite a bit, based on Mr. Harris’ schedule. Some days he’s off to work hours before the sun rises, and some days he’s working nights and is home after the kids are already off to school. Then there’s the rare mornings that we get to enjoy together when he’s off, we go through the routine of getting the kids up, ready and off to school. Then we have the pleasure of sharing those quiet mornings together once everybody is gone.
I’m still adjusting to that part. It’s only been a few months since the house has been kid-free on weekdays, and it still takes some getting used to. Back then many of my days were hectic, trying to juggle mommy-hood with food blogging and I endured many nights of not enough sleep in order to balance it all. Now, most nights I get a good nights sleep and I get up early to enjoy my mornings, get the kids off, then come back home to take care of our two dogs and spend the rest of the morning with my cup of coffee. Usually catching up on emails, editing photos, brainstorming new recipes, or just catching up with friends.
It’s taken some getting used to, but it’s also helped me to slow down and enjoy the little things in life. Things aren’t as hectic as they once were and it’s nice to stop, reflect, and enjoy the moment. Once I drop the kids off, I notice how quiet the streets are. I’m in a suburb that’s considered to be a bedroom community. Often people drop off their kids and then commute to work, so later in the morning it’s pretty quiet and peaceful.
I’ve had a fancy camera for over a year now, and I’ve mainly only shot food and a few candid moments of my family. I’m interested in diving deeper, so I’ve joined Our Project 52, a photography project with Everyday Eyecandy and Lipgloss & Binky where we take one photograph each week with a specified prompt. This weeks prompt is “Morning”. Interested in joining? Check out their pages and link up or look up the hashtag #OurProject52 for more!
*The above photos were taken with my Canon 60D and my Canon 50 1.8 lens.
Settings, listed in photo order:
- Aperture: f/4.0 – Shutter Speed: 1/250 – ISO 1000
- Aperture: f/4.0 – Shutter Speed: 1/25 – ISO 1000
- Aperture: f/4.0 – Shutter Speed: 1/1000 – ISO 1000
I love the photos that you chose to go along with this post! Very nice!
Beautiful photography.
I’m definitely a night person but I’m trying so hard to become a morning person. I love reading about your routine and how you’ve made the transition.
Have a great week.
I will be making that transition next year when my youngest is off to elementary school. The thought is bitter sweet because I wish she wasn’t growing so fast but the idea that my day won’t be broken by having to take her nearly an hour after he has gone and pick her up an hour before he is due off the bus will buy me an extra 2 hours of time to really be still.
Much like you my husband has a changing schedule so no two weeks are the same and I like it like that. I need variety in some things. Lovely photos and the story telling made me long for the first day of school when I might know what quiet non rushed mornings are.
I”ve started waking up way before everyone else too in the mornings. I get so much done! My schedule has just recently adjusted so that I actually start working the same time every day. I think that has helped a lot. I love your photos. They are beautiful!