By Dr. Femke E. Bakker

Some mornings, you wake up already behind. Thoughts racing. Body tense. The pressure to perform starts before your feet touch the floor. And even when life is “good,” that low hum of stress often returns the moment the alarm rings.

But what if your mornings didn’t have to begin that way?

What if the very first moment of the day became the start of something new? Something more easy?

Why mornings matter more than you think

When you sleep, your inner critic goes quiet. The cycles of overthinking pause. Your nervous system resets, just enough to offer you a choice when you wake up:

Will I carry yesterday’s problems and worries forward?
Or will I embrace a new day, with new possibilities, and start from scratch?

That’s what this practice is about. It’s not a morning routine to optimize productivity. It’s a selfgentle moment, a return to yourself before the day begins.

A selfgentle morning practice (no need to leave the bed)

You can try this tomorrow. It takes just one minute.

Before you open your eyes:

• Feel your body resting.
• Notice the comfort, the softness around you.
• Greet yourself kindly, even if it feels strange.

Say gently:

“Good morning, my darling. How are you today?”

Then pause.
Listen.
Respond honestly. No need to fix. Just be with yourself.

Place a hand on your chest or belly and ask:

“What do I need today?”

Let the answer come. Don’t chase it. It may be clear, or it may come later. Either way, acknowledge it. If you can meet that need today, do it. If not, promise yourself a moment—and keep that promise later.

That’s where trust in yourself and your ability to be gentle with yourself begins.

It’s not about getting it right. It’s just about you, being kind to yourself.

You don’t need a perfect morning to have a better day. You just need a moment to deliberately choose that you will start the day fresh, without carrying all that old, hurtful stuff from before with you.

This practice is simple. But it’s not shallow. It’s a daily act of self-honoring. And over time, it shifts how you move through everything else.

You meet yourself before you meet the world.
And that changes everything.

Want to make this part of your day?

If this morning practice feels like something you want to keep returning to, I created a free guide just for you.

The Selfgentleness Starter Guide + Meditation

Inside, you’ll receive:

• A printable PDF with the 3-step process (Tune In – Acknowledge – Honor)
• A private audio you can use anytime you need support to tune in
• A simple, powerful way to start showing up for yourself—even before you get out of bed

Click here to get it for free →

Be selfgentle,
All love,
Femke

P.S. Also check out my post about a selfgentle evening practice. Your mornings will start even better when your close your evening like that.