Good morning.
It's Sunday, November first.
The clocks fell back last night.
Did you notice?
Your phone switched on its own.
The microwave probably didn't.
It'll be wrong until March.
But here's the good part.
You got an hour back.
A whole extra hour.
Nobody's expecting anything from it.
That almost never happens.
Time usually goes the other way.
Most days, we're trying to squeeze out more.
Waking earlier.
Staying up Today, later.
it just showed up.
So Free.
let's spend a little of it here.
Get comfortable.
Take up as much room as you like.
We have six minutes.
And no reason to hurry through them.
Let each breath take its time.
As long as it wants.
Nobody's counting.
Breathe in...
slowly.
Let it fill up at its own pace.
And breathe out...
all the way.
Take your time with it.
In again...
there's no line behind you.
And out...
nice and long.
One more.
In...
And out.
Notice how different that feels.
Breathing when you're not late.
Now picture that extra hour.
Like a gift box on the table.
Plain paper, no bow.
An hour that didn't exist yesterday.
Open the lid.
It's empty.
Just room.
What would you put in there?
If it was only for you.
Not laundry.
Not catching up on email.
Something that feels good.
Maybe it's more sleep.
That's a perfectly good answer.
Maybe it's a slow breakfast.
Eggs cooked the way you actually like them.
Maybe it's a phone call with your sister.
The long, rambling kind.
Or the Sunday crossword.
In pen, because why not.
Or just sitting by the window.
Watching the neighborhood wake up.
With nothing to do about it.
Pick one.
Put it in the box.
See yourself doing it.
Nowhere to rush off to.
Nobody checking the time.
Notice how your body feels about that.
Maybe your shoulders drop.
Maybe your face softens.
That's what a little extra room feels like.
We don't get many hours like this.
Once a year, on this one morning.
It's worth using on purpose.
Say this softly to yourself.
I have time this morning.
Some of it can be just for me.
Just rest in this roomy morning.
It's lighter outside than yesterday.
At the same hour.
The birds noticed first.
They're already up and talking.
There's more space than usual.
Let yourself stretch out in it.
If your mind starts filling the hour...
with chores, with plans...
just open the box again.
Still room.
Still yours.
The chores will get their turn later.
Let the room come back.
Slowly.
No rush, remember.
Stretch your legs out long.
Reach your arms overhead.
One easy breath in...
And Here's out.
one thing for Take today.
whatever you put in the And box.
actually do it.
Before the day fills itself Before up.
the chores find you.
The slow The eggs.
long call with your Whatever sister.
you picked.
Give it the whole Don't hour.
cut it short to be useful.
That's your bonus hour, spent on purpose.
Nobody else gets a say in it.
Open your eyes when Enjoy you're ready.
your extra time.