My dear reader,

I woke up at 4am today.

Not because I had to — but because my body whispered, “now.”
And what unfolded was a deep morning of self-love.

Here’s what I did, and why it made all the difference:

1. Meditation upon rising
   In those soft early hours, our brain is still in theta and alpha waves — a fertile space for insights, intuition, and clarity. Listening to affirmations set my frequency for the day.

2. Journaling
   Morning Pages are my favourite ritual. When the world is asleep, creativity flows like a gentle stream. Thoughts untangle. Truths surface on the page.

3. Kirtan music.
   Devotional chants for spiritual alignment. A soulful reminder of something greater.

4. Pilates.
   Grounding into my body, gently awakening strength.

5. Sauna & cold plunge
   To shift my state. From soft to sharp. From slow to clear.

6. Lymphatic drainage massage
   Tapping and moving energy through the body. Awakening every cell with love.

Only five hours after rising did I finally sit down for my morning coffee — and wow, did it land differently.

We need to allow ourselves to slow down more

Life is not meant to be rushed through that you feel days fly by without you being fully present for it all.

We can tend to focus on destinations when actually it is about the journey.
I heard this quote yesterday on social media that said:

 “It is not about pursuit of happiness, but about the happiness of pursuit.”

Life and joy are in the pursuit, in the living, in the moments, in the journey.

It’s about living, day by day, able to savour everything that is happening.
Taking it all in. Breath by breath. Note by note. Moment by moment. Heartfully.

Slow mornings like this really create space for taking life in. Savouring it all.

There’s a lot moving for me right now — and I need the reminder: slowing down creates sustainability.

My inner workaholic still knocks on the door.
But I’m listening inward more and choosing to slow down, instead.

Because the more I slow down, the more I can get out of life because my cup has space to take life in. If we rush and cup is overflowing, life passes us by.

With just over a week until I start my holiday on August 1st and fly to Finland, I’m asking myself:

👉 How can I sustain my energy better this week?
👉 How can I slow down and give myself more grace?
👉 How can I savour the journey and every moment more?

And I invite you to ask the same.

Wishing you soft, slow, and soul-nourishing week.

With love,
Essi x