The other day my husband asked me an interesting question: “Are you an early bird or a night owl?” It was a question I had never put much thought into before, but the more I did the more I realized my love for both the morning and night. I became more mindful of the feelings, thoughts and memories that these hours bring to my mind. So I ask you the same question — are you an early bird or a night owl?
Photo by Studio Eiler @studioeiler
It is so easy to become caught up in the hustle of the day and plow through the hours, forgetting to be mindful of what makes certain parts of our day unique and enjoyable. When I started my free-write for this post, I asked myself a few questions: What do you love about the morning? What do you enjoy about the night? What inspires you? What unsettles you? What are your memories from each? This post was so much fun to write because I paid attention to the raw feelings and thoughts that flowed into my mind as I thought about these hours of my day and just…..wrote.
[ctt template=”2″ link=”B72UT” via=”yes” ]Morning and night are the bookends of our day, and often tell their own stories if you pay attention. The sun and the moon provide us with spotlights to shine perspective and honesty on these reflective hours of our day when the sky changes and our surroundings take on new shapes.[/ctt]When I was finished with my free-write I realized that these words were so specific to me and my life that it would be very difficult for me to write a simple post about the wonders of morning and night, because everyone has their own interpretations and perspectives, feelings and memories about both. Instead, I decided to leave this post as more of a personal free-write, unedited, pure, and a little random. I hope it helps you stop and take a breath as it did for me, and truly think about what these hours mean to you and your life.
Morning
Morning is pure. A new beginning. A fresh perspective.
I love how the light creeps in through the blinds on the weekends just enough to let me know that the sky is awake, but with reassurance that my sleep does not need to end.
Before dawn, small bursts of light appear as the city slowly begins to awaken.
The buildings are silhouettes to the backdrop of the sunrise burning the sky as it melts away the worries of the past, leaving a pure blue canvas for the upcoming possibilities of a new day.
Cozy lights are on in homes and smoke billows out of chimneys. I feel safe and comforted even as I pass by in the outside world from the front seat of my car.
A warm mug and the drip of dark roast into the coffee pot.
A crisp frost covering the ground as an eerie fog hovers over an empty field;
a scene that I recall seeing each day from behind the window of my school bus, headphones covering my ears as my music played the soundtrack to the day ahead of me.
Talk shows and morning radio blaring through my car speakers reminding me that not all news is bad,
and that we can continue to find humor and lightness in our world as we laugh with strangers.
Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning covered in white icing and sweet red cherries.
Plush blankets and cartoons, banana bread and sweet butter.
Early morning walks and talks on wet trails,
the surrounding green brought to shimmery life by the morning dew.
Empty streets and flashing stoplights providing a tranquil moment before they are crowded
with travelers and urgency.
I find comfort at small tables in cozy coffee shops as the revolving door of people
rush in, rush out…rush in, rush out.
Slow mornings are celebrated but rare and can change my entire perspective on my world.
But busy mornings also remind me the day needs me and my work has only just begun.
Spread your wings and fly into the day.
Night
Quiet and chaos; I love how night has both.
Dancing under flashing fluorescent lights as the world fades away. Rhythm. Bass. Harmony.
Peaceful evenings inside as the the world sways and waltzes to the evening buzz.
The flash of a storm as lightening illuminates the depths of the dark empty sky, teasing the outside world with invisible crashes and booms.
Pizza and football, wine and scary movies.
Staring out my bedroom window on the second floor
as the wind gently moves the dark green moonlit trees below.
I can’t sleep and often still can’t.
But that’s okay, because there is enough to contemplate to last me all night.
Night is the flicker of a candle and the cold scent of trees.
The white noise and quick flash of the television as I fade in and out of sleep,
muffled laughter brings me contentment and the beginning of a welcoming dream.
Aimless drives on dirt roads, soft headlights and hard music.
Layers upon layers of blankets providing the perfect amount of pressure.
Crowded places followed by quiet rooms of comfort.
Nightmares and panic cloud my reality, but are followed by clarity and tranquility as I fade into sleep.
Night can make me crazy.
And then night can sooth my soul, the black ink of the sky saturating me
until my worries are coated with calm.
Night is wild and free, safe and peaceful, dark and mysterious.
Free fall into the shadows, and capture the stars along the way.
What do morning and night mean to you and your life?
Morning and night are the bookends of our day, and often tell their own story if you pay attention. The sun and the moon provide us with spotlights to shine perspective and honesty on these distinct, reflective hours of our day when the sky changes and our surroundings take on new shapes. What will you see? What will you feel? What will you savor? What will you learn?
Wishing you zest and light,
Stephanie
I am one of those people who dreads the fall back time of the year. I’m not kidding when I say that I get
very depressed when that happens and it usually takes me several weeks to snap out of it. I especially like, though, how you listed the things that are positive about both the day and the night times. Gives me some really good perspective!
Kristi, I can totally relate. At first I sort of like it getting dark so early, but as the season goes on and it just seems like it’s dark all of the time I can definitely fall into those feelings, too. Night is very hard for me sometimes, and writing this post truly did help me make sense of some of this, and remind me of some things that I love about the darkness. I’m happy it helped you, too! Thanks so much for reading!
Can I please have your autographed book once you write it :)? You must! I am in love with how you express yourself in words. I always feel so uplifted after I read your pieces. I always get so excited when I get an email notification that you have a new post :)! You inspire me to publish my blog, but then also intimidate me haha, because you’re so darn good!
Milda!! Oh my goodness thank you SO much, you have no idea how much your feedback warms my heart!! This was a completely different post for me to write, and to be honest I was so nervous to even publish it and put these thoughts out there for others to read. I am so happy that you enjoyed it, and I truly appreciate your support with Citrus & Sun! I cannot wait for you to publish your blog!
I am by natural a night owl. I think I just LOVE how quiet it is and that sometimes I’m the only one up and working. I’d like to be a morning person because I hear you’re so productive when you get up early. But, part of me wonders if it’s location based. I’m not super in love with the scenery around me, but when I’m away somewhere hot, with a beach, I’m up early and going!
Yes, the night is so peaceful sometimes, especially when it feels like you are the only one awake and you’re so engaged in what you’re working on. I definitely feel that it could be scenery based! I know that when I wake up in a place where the scenery inspires me or brings me a certain feeling I am more motivated to get up and get busy! Thanks so much for reading, Nadalie =)
I am a total morning person. I function way better when I am up early. Lately I have had a hard time adjusting but overall mornings are my most productive time of day.
Thanks for sharing, Karen! I am totally like that in the summertime when the weather is warm and I can get outside early in the morning. It wakes me up and gets me ready for the day! In the winter I have a little more trouble with this 😉 Thanks for stopping by Citrus & Sun!
This is beautiful and so poetic! I️ could totally feel and think of the way you wrote about morning and night! I️ have many times thought similar things, and love your perspective on day and night showing you a glimpse of perspective to create honesty! Really lovely post!!!
Thanks so much, Erin!! Writing this post made me reminisce of slow, summer mornings when the weather is warm and we have the whole day in front of us! Can we have those back soon?! =)
I think I love night and day equally. Maybe because as I try and follow a routine, there are things that I prefer to do after sunset and somethings I prefer to do during the day. But, I loved how you’ve described the night and day through your words and poem.
– http://www.allshethings.com
I love this perspective! It made me consider the things that I like to do at certain parts of the day, too. Day and night both have their positives and special moments! Thanks for reading and commenting, Prerna!
It’s weird cause I think I am both an early bird and a night owl. The daylight savings has been feeling really dreary so far. My internal clock has not adjusted as yet so I’m always feeling off. Great flow of words. Enjoyed reading.
I can relate, Laureen! Not only has it been getting dark earlier, but the weather has also been dreary over in Chicago. Hopefully that will turn around soon and we will adjust! Thanks so much for your feedback and for reading!!
Hugs Believe,
💜😘’Know You Are Loved!’💜😘
Please tell the photo studio people: I love these photos!!
Stephanie, you always look lovely and rested whenever I am Blessed to be in your company. Me, I have horrid darks puffy circles under my eyes, always!
Insomnia, is and has been my friend for far too long a time.
Your writing skills are so tremendous!
Thank you!
MJXOXOXO
Julia, I will definitely give your feedback to Chuck =) We both appreciate your kind words!! And I wish that I could have your energy!! It is definitely a joy to be around you and your positive vibes. I struggle with insomnia as well; my brain is just too busy! It can be difficult sometimes. but hopefully we can both continue to see the joys of the night, too =) Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Julia. Your support means so much!