Living with chronic illness, I used to dread mornings. Each day started as a negotiation with my body, trying to find enough energy to face the hours ahead. Each sunrise felt like a battle to find energy and hope. But through trial and error, I discovered three simple yet powerful rituals that transformed my mornings from a struggle into a foundation for healing. Here's what worked for me, and why.
The Rituals
Go Outside
During my struggle with chronic illness, mornings often left me just as exhausted as the night before. If it weren’t for my dog, Tango, I might not have made it out of bed at all. But she needed me, so I got up—and that simple act changed everything.
Stepping outside became a lifeline. The fresh air on my face, the melody of birdsong, and the gentle warmth of the sun reminded me there was more to life than pain and isolation. Each morning, I reconnected with something bigger than myself, and for those moments, I felt lighter and more alive.
Journaling
Journaling has been a cornerstone of my healing journey and remains a daily ritual. It was the first step in uncovering my UnshakableMe and connecting with my inner healer. Though I wasn’t a natural writer, I simply picked up a notebook and began.
I started by exploring the stories I believed about myself—my ability to heal, to live a fulfilling life, even if it didn’t fit the mold of “normal.” It felt like unraveling a tangled ball of yarn, with years of emotions, fears, anxieties, and losses spilling onto the page.
Each morning, with my tea by the kitchen window, I let the words flow. Writing became a safe space to give voice to what I’d hidden—years of pain, dormant emotions, and the weight of feeling “not enough.” It was also liberating, as this process allowed a new perspective and a new version of me to emerge.
Journaling offers a sanctuary to process, release, and reconnect. It’s a practice I continue daily to find clarity, grounding, or a reminder of how far I’ve come.
Create a vision.
The third ritual transformed how I saw my future: creating an intentional vision for healing. Without realizing it, I had crafted a vision for my life—one defined by illness, limitations, and a shrinking sense of possibility. But one morning, I asked myself a different question: "What if?"
What would life look like if healing and joy were possible? How would it feel to live with energy, purpose, and freedom? I began creating new visions for myself—clear, vibrant pictures of the life I wanted. I revisited those visions daily, not just imagining them but embodying the feelings they sparked.
We often fixate on what we don’t want, but there’s incredible power in shifting that focus. This daily practice of envisioning health rather than anticipating illness created something profound, and each morning's quiet moments became an opportunity to strengthen this new story. Here's what I discovered: when you hold a clear vision of where you want to go, everyday choices become clearer and each small step toward what you want is a quiet act of self-empowerment.
What do you truly desire for yourself? Give yourself permission to dream—and then notice the choices you make each day.
These three rituals remain the foundation of my mornings, though my practice has deepened over the years. My loyal companion still nudges me awake each day, leading me into the embrace of the outdoors—through rain, wind, snow, or sunshine. These moments ground me in the present, awaken my senses, and fill me with gratitude for how far I've come. After 14 years, my body isn't just surviving; she's thriving in ways I never imagined possible during those darkest days.
But this is just the beginning of what's possible on your healing journey.
Ready to add another powerful ritual to your morning practice? Watch our free video on healing here where I share the exact technique that accelerated my recovery and grounds me daily on the change I want to create in my life.
And if you're ready to dive deeper into uncovering your own healing potential, I invite you to explore our UnshakableMe® program. Because here's what I know for certain: you have an extraordinary power within you to transform your health—sometimes we just need a guide to help us access it. Learn more about how UnshakableMe® can help you reclaim your vitality and create the life you envision.
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