Hello,
Back in October I started a routine getting up between 5 and 6, putting on my shoes, leashing up the dogs, and heading out the door. I am usually an early riser, but that is early even for me. Also, I tend to feel stiff first thing in the morning and more in the mood to sit down and have a cup of tea or coffee; so this was a significant shift. I have been surprised by the changes I've noticed.
First of all, I find that my creaky knee is happy to walk that early if I just start out slowly and avoid the big hills until I'm warmed up. Overall my knee is much happier throughout the day. Even my 13 year old dog is moving better!
When I am out walking in the neighborhood it is just me and the dogs; we seldom see a car that early, and there is a peace and quiet much like being out in the woods, even though I am in suburbia. The light is different each day, even in the dark. The last two mornings the moon has been bright as day. I usually walk without a flashlight, even when there is no moon, and find that my visual acuity and balance in the dark are improving.
The weather each morning is very different when experienced this way, compared to my usual routine of checking Weather Underground. Sometimes the air is crisp and still, sometimes there are warm breezes and an early light that reminds me of Hawaii. It seems I can actually feel the coming weather for the day. Often myself and my clients stop, or back off on walking exercise this time of year due to the weather. I find that whether I am in my pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt or 5 layers- top and bottom, looking like the Michelin snow bunny, I can get comfortable to go outside. My resilience to the extreme cold is better. A surprise even to me, going out in 12 degrees is fine, even invigorating. On those days the house feels toasty warm when I return, even if it is 60; and a walk like this morning, when it is 24 feels positively balmy:)
I know that if I had imposed "Daily Walking" on myself, my inner resistance to authoritarianism would have surfaced. Instead I feel delightfully connected to my inner life each day I go out. I hope you can find something that brings you this sense of aliveness and presence.
All my best,
Brenda