12 Feb So, What’s The Rush?
“Dang, I got ten minutes to get outta here!”
That used to be the daily soundtrack to my mornings — a chaotic routine fueled by poor time management, anxiety, and the pressure to be productive before the day even started.
“Where’s my mug? Did I rinse that coffee out? Is my work badge in my bag…? And where’s my phone… uhhh!! I thought I charged it last night…” (I definitely passed out before plugging it in.) My feet carried me straight to the outlet, hoping to give it a little more juice before I ran out the door.
As I scrambled through my space, I kept glancing at the clock like it was personally judging me. (And chile…it was!) Every few seconds, my eyes flicked back to the time, calculating how many minutes I had left. My nervous system was already in overdrive — and the day hadn’t even begun!
And somehow, I convinced myself this was normal.
Eight minutes left… really, it’s five.
My mind was already running ahead of me, trying to keep up with everything at once. I had my clothes laid out the night before… down to the smallest detail.
I slid on my socks.
Jumped into my pants.
I tried to smooth my shirt while hopping on one foot, realizing I still hadn’t grabbed my keys.
“C’mon… where did I put them last night?” I muttered, dumping the contents of my purse onto the floor in a panic.
(Mind you, I still had to pack my lunch for work.)
I ran into the kitchen, slapped a sandwich together — literally — shoved it into my bag, and sprinted back to my room to finish getting dressed.
My heart raced.
Fresh out the shower, I was already sweating.
I did this little “tip-toe run” so I wouldn’t wake the neighbors below, but I was moving like I was late for a flight.
Then I struggled to place a mobile coffee order while brushing my hair into a ponytail.
Do I want a bagel?
Do I even have time for a bagel?
Ehhh… I had one yesterday.
Everything felt urgent.
Loud.
Fast.
I thought that was normal.
But rushing like that doesn’t just steal your time — it steals your peace. Your nervous system stays on high alert before the day even begins. Your thoughts speed up. Your body overheats. Your anxiety climbs before you’ve even clocked in.
The truth hit me — I wasn’t just late on time… I was late on preparation!
Rushing is often a symptom of poor planning — and sometimes influence. Have you ever lived with someone whose “normal” pace was always rushed? That bad habit rubs off on you without you even realizing it. Before long, you start believing that type pressure is just part of life.
But that’s a lie — and I didn’t realize it until I slowed down.
When I started slowing my nights down — laying things out, deciding breakfast ahead of time, choosing my outfit without pressure — my mornings felt different. A little strange at first… but quieter.
Way more intentional.
Less survival mode, and more alignment.
Now I ask myself: what would it look like if I made a habit of preparing the night before?
Maybe it looks like packing my bag the night before along with meal prepping- that in itself can save you time and money.
Maybe it looks like setting aside more time of prayer to ensure that the rest of the God-given day goes as planned.
I know you might be thinking, “That sounds good… but I already wake up between 4AM and 6AM. You want me up earlier than that?!”
Trust me, I get it.
But let me ask you this: how much better would your work performance be if you gave yourself just thirty extra minutes of ‘calm’ preparation?
What state of mind would you be in if you knew you had more time?
What would your coworkers notice about your attitude? Character? Communication?
What would happen to those deadlines if you started prepared instead of pressed?
In other cases, rushing doesn’t always come from laziness — sometimes it’s a signal that something deeper within needs your attention.
Are you actually getting enough rest at night, or are you running on fumes before the day even begins? What does your quiet time before bed actually look like? Do you feel stressed long before you even think about preparing for work? Sometimes the chaos of the morning is just a reflection of what’s happening internally — mental overload, emotional pressure, or a schedule that never lets you slow down. A real health check-in asks more than, “Did I plan ahead?” It asks, “Am I well-rested? Am I overwhelmed? Am I giving myself space to breathe?” Because preparation isn’t just about laying clothes out the night before — it’s about caring for your nervous system so you’re not waking up already exhausted.
So maybe this is your gentle check-in: not just about how you prepare for work, but how you care for yourself before the day even starts. Are you rested? Are you grounded? Are you moving with intention instead of pressure? Maybe it looks like turning on some calm instrumentals while you get ready — allowing your morning to feel softer instead of rushed. Rushing doesn’t have to be your normal. With a little honesty, a little planning, and a little more compassion toward yourself, your mornings can shift from chaotic to centered.
And you deserve to begin your day feeling supported — not already worn down.
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