Cool, Calm and Collected.
by Stephanie Andrews
Happy Friday! I hope you’ve had a good week.
Returning from vacation has been non-stop, filled with meetings with our team and clients and an installation in North Carolina. As you might experience after a vacation, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.
Photography of our newest project: Cool, Calm and Collected. Special items curated and wallpaper by Liberty of London. Photography by Christina Wedge.
It’s during these times when I feel like there’s “too much yet not enough” that I need to be intentional about self-care. To do this, I usually dive deeper into my morning ritual. Even when I feel like every moment needs to be”productive” because I feel behind. It is precisely when I feel that I have no time that I need to step back and “make time” for my morning practice. This routine usually takes about an hour and is often my favorite time of the day—a new beginning, a fresh start.
While a morning routine isn’t a new or original idea, I have found it to be life-changing and life-affirming. I’d love to share my morning routine with you and learn about yours!
My little morning ritual space.
My happy space includes a comfy green sofa, a lamp, plants, a side table for writing, and a coffee table for keeping my books. I love this space! I have everything I need at my fingertips, including my favorite journal, my favorite pen, my phone, and a coaster for my favorite addiction—coffee.
Photography of our newest project: Cool, Calm and Collected. Ceiling wallpaper by Hygge and West. Photography by Christina Wedge.
Here’s my morning ritual:
1. Wake up and rehydrate. I start by drinking a tall glass of water. I also do little stretches while making coffee and putting away dishes from the night before.
2. First cup of coffee. I pour myself my first beloved cup of coffee and usually sit with it in silence for a few minutes.
3. Guided meditation. I’ve enjoyed Insight Timer since the pandemic. My short meditation is typically only 5-6 minutes. I try not to judge myself for the shortness of this time and praise myself for my consistency each morning.
4. Journaling. After more coffee, I start journaling. This may be a long or short entry about whatever is on my mind—positive or negative—just working on getting it out of my brain and onto paper. It must work for me because I can count 10 of my favorite journals on my shelf just from the past three years.
5. Reading. I read at least 10 pages of a personal growth or spiritual book. I implemented this into my routine when I found the”75 Hard” requirements and thought it was a good idea. Thich Nhat Hanh is one author whose books I’ve read almost all of. His simple writing style is full of inspiration and wisdom.
6. Weekly blog post. I work on this weekly blog post a little bit each day. Since the beginning of the year, when I chose “write” as my word for 2025, I have made it a priority to write almost every day and post with you almost every week.
Photography of our newest project: Cool, Calm and Collected. Special items curated and wallpaper by Liberty of London. Photography by Christina Wedge.
The title “Cool, Calm and Collected” has a triple meaning. The “calm” part includes sharing my morning ritual. This title is also for our newest portfolio project, spearheaded by our incredibly talented designer, Andrea Peraza. She found just the right balance with this client to show off her collections and art with the perfect amount of color and pattern. I love how this client’s home speaks directly to her fun personality and collected style.
Hope to see you on August 9th for our 2nd Vintage Pop-up Sale!
Finally, I wanted to share that our next Vintage Pop-up is August 9th from 12-5 pm. Rebecca Parsons from House 10 Designs has found even more treasures to share with you! Her savvy curation skills add a touch of whimsy, surprise, and personality to your home. I hope you will join us for this fun event! We’ll have new cocktails, new art, and new accessories.
Best,
Stephanie
I adore these blog posts! Serendipity pervades as I read each, such as this post regarding our daily rituals. I JUST decided yesterday that a habitual morning routine of self care, joy and health was to be my priority in this new season of life. Stephanie’s routine mimicked mine yet incorporated extras that I would’ve missed. Like reading Thich Nhat Hanh, daily.
Stephanie’s interior design brilliance inspires me to express myself through my surroundings as well as via my own art creations. Her majestic as well as softer, soul nurturing themes live in my mind as I intentionally chose keepsakes, fabrics, furniture, reclaimed wood, fur, plants and art pieces to decorate and enhance my new home.
Thank you Stephanie and each Balance Design beauty!