Hey there, and welcome back. I'm Julia Cartwright, and I'm so glad you're here for Mindful Mornings. You know, it's early January, and I'm willing to bet some of you are feeling that familiar tug-of-war—excitement about fresh starts mixed with the weight of expectations. Maybe you woke up today with that mental chatter already running at full speed, or you're wondering how to actually stick with something meaningful this year. That's completely normal, and honestly, it's exactly why we're here together right now.

So let's settle in. Find yourself somewhere quiet, even if it's just a corner of your couch. Sit comfortably, feet flat if you can. Let your shoulders drop away from your ears. There's nothing to fix or achieve in the next few minutes—this is just you and your breath, getting reacquainted.

Take a slow inhale through your nose for a count of four. Feel your belly expand like you're filling it with calm. Hold it there for just a second. Now exhale through your mouth like you're gently fogging a mirror. Do that one more time at your own pace.

Here's what we're going to do today. I want you to imagine your mind as the sky at sunrise. Right now, maybe it feels cloudy or gray. That's okay. Those clouds are your thoughts, your worries, your to-do lists. But here's the thing—clouds always move. The sky remains. You are the sky, not the clouds.

With each breath, imagine a gentle wind moving through. You're not pushing the clouds away or judging them. You're simply noticing they're there and letting them drift on by. Inhale peace. Exhale the need to control everything. Inhale clarity. Exhale the pressure to be perfect.

Continue this for the next few minutes at your own rhythm. Whenever your mind wanders—and it will, that's the whole point—just gently notice it, smile at yourself, and come back to your breath. You're not failing. You're training.

As we wrap up, take one final deep breath together. Feel the weight of your body where you're sitting. Feel your feet on the ground. You've just given yourself something invaluable—a moment of peace before the day takes the wheel.

Here's my challenge for you today: carry this sky-watching practice with you. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, pause and remember—you're the sky, not the clouds. Just notice, breathe, and let things pass.

Thank you so much for joining me on Mindful Mornings: Start Your Day with Peace and Clarity. I'd love for you to subscribe so we can do this together tomorrow and every day after. You've got this.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI