Good morning, happy Tuesday – April 22, 2025 in the Year of the ZAO: Day 112.

Stillness Before the Storm

Most of the world hits snooze, scrambles into the day, and wonders why they're always tired. But what if the exhaustion isn’t from doing too much — it’s from never doing anything just for you?

Today’s lesson comes from Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, a gentle reminder that becoming an early riser isn’t just about discipline — it’s about reclaiming time for your soul.

An hour or two of morning quiet, with no expectations, no noise, and no tasks, can recalibrate your entire relationship with the day. It might mean turning off the TV earlier or skipping one more scroll, but the tradeoff? It’s massive. You start your day full — with peace, purpose, and presence.

And when you begin full, you don’t pour from an empty cup.

What This Looks Like in Practice

• A quiet cup of coffee.

• Yoga or meditation before the notifications start.

• A page turned, a chapter read, a moment to just be.

• The sunrise becomes your first meeting of the day.

That time becomes yours, and suddenly your life feels like it belongs to you again.

If you’re feeling stretched thin or creatively drained, try setting your alarm an hour earlier tomorrow. Take that hour like a gift — and see what shifts.

BetterCallZaal

From the ZAO Team