The À La Carte Morning (and Our First Mocktail—Meet Grey Gardens)

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Last night, as I laid in bed unable to fall asleep, I checked the moon phase. There she was again, staring right back at me—just as awake. The dark moon. We always meet this way—she with her alluring lack of light, and me with my vividly bright brain, colliding.

For the first time, I sat with this pattern. I’ve always seen it as an inconvenience, but it came through differently this time. It felt like an invitation. A quiet opportunity my spirit has been asking for—trying to speak to me and share.

That "something” arrived while I was listening to a guided meditation on self-love. And there it was—clear as day: a vision of my morning routine, uniquely crafted for me.   In the midst of my self-love meandering, I heard it:  Make the morning yours.  No rules. No must-do’s.

An à la carte offering of things I’d actually enjoy waking up for.  That’s been my missing piece. The joy factor that creates the habit loop. Sleep and bed are my happy place, so if my morning isn’t equally delicious, my commitment waivers. Believe me—I’ve tried many routines.

Here’s what landed:

Soft light.

Ambient music.

Candles.

Tea. (Maybe two cups?)

Tidy up.

Creative writing or projects.

Stretching and intuitive movement.

Again—no rules, no pressure. Just my own nourishing à la carte menu.

Two cups of tea suit me far better than 16 ounces of water ever could. I've tried the morning water thing (like we're all told we should), but truthfully — I hate it. Warm tea is comforting, grounding, and just feels right for me.

I never did fall asleep. But when I finally emerged from bed at 6am, I walked to the kitchen and began putting dishes away—something I’ve done for years now. Wash any stragglers in the sink. Unload the dishwasher. Set Kevin’s coffee. There’s something lovely about a clean kitchen and an empty sink. It’s my perfect entry point into a world with no distractions.

As I put things away, I found myself wiping the obscure corners of the kitchen. That led me to the bathroom, where I told myself I’d just clean the mirror. But the mirror led to the sink, and then to the tub. I felt peaceful. Mesmerized. Maybe it was the ambient music I’d chosen, or the glow of the apartment. Whatever it was, I discovered something new:

Cleaning in the morning just feels better.

Maybe that’s why I’ve always done the dishes first thing. I’ve never thought about it before, but there’s a kind of magic to it.

A quiet home.

Kevin at work.

Bruno still asleep.

Soft light.

No noise.

And a clean home ready to greet the day.

As I scrubbed the tub, my thoughts wandered:

Should I dedicate one day each week to cleaning? Or just do one small thing each morning? I laughed at myself—already trying to systematize it.

So instead, what if I ask myself each morning:

What do I want to choose today?

What is my spirit feeling?

Reading or writing?

Stretching or dancing?

Hymns or jazz?

What does my home need?

I've always craved becoming a morning person. I'm not there yet — but I haven't given up on the quiet hope that one day, mornings and I will find our rhythm.

I don’t know about you, but life seems to unfold more organically for me when I follow my intuition—when I move with the appetite of the day. If we don’t eat the same food every day, why should our routines be rigid and repetitive?

Don’t get me wrong—some people love structure, and that’s beautiful. But maybe there are many others like me who crave juicy over rules.

Maybe the world around us has been so loud with its “shoulds” that we’ve forgotten how to hear our own preferences. Maybe we’re scared to listen. Or scared to stand in what we know we need—especially if it goes against the grain.

The version of a morning routine I’ve been trying to buy into has always had a formula.  Do these five things. Check the boxes.  

But here’s the catch: We’re all unique.

So why are we all trying to fit into the same mold? How is it that we’ve removed ourselves so much from ourselves that we no longer lead our own way?  What has happened to our own taste for life?

So I ask you:

What is it that you’re craving?

I’ve wanted to be a morning person for years. I’m still not one. But I haven’t given up trying. Fall down. Stand back up. Even if it’s six months later. Revisit the things you crave, even if they haven’t stuck yet. Because if you’re drawn to it, I believe it’s meant for you.

Maybe it’s a morning routine.  

Maybe it’s more movement.  

Reading.

Nourishment.

A return to yourself.

If it hasn’t clicked yet, try different textures. Different tones. Maybe your workout doesn’t need to be a 60-minute high-intensity class. Maybe it’s 20 minutes of restorative yoga. Maybe that diet that worked for your friend just isn’t your flavor.  

Maybe the most beautiful thing you can do is listen—and collaborate with your body in a way that’s uniquely yours.

Because taste isn’t just about food, it’s about life.

A warm mug, a quiet bed, a journal in hand. This is where I remember who I am — and who I'm becoming.

A Quiet Return to the Moon

Maybe this new moon restlessness isn’t a problem.

Maybe she’s not keeping me up.

Maybe she’s waking me up.

Maybe the dark moon is when I’m meant to listen—not to the world, but to myself.

Maybe my spirit speaks loudest in the quiet.

A Few Gentle Invitations for You

• What is this new moon trying to say to you?

• Where are you craving more joy?

• What’s on your life’s menu?

• What would feel good to choose today?

• What are your spirit’s preferences—and are you listening?

  
  

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a sip of something special

We’re excited to share that we are starting to curate mocktails! We recognize that not everyone drinks—and honestly, I’m part of that group. Unless we’re out with friends, I usually only drink on our weekly Date Nite. So the idea of a beautiful, thoughtful, non-alcoholic option really speaks to me. We hope that adding mocktails brings a little something extra to what we’re building here at Date Nite—a space where love, joy, and connection can be savored in whatever way feels right for you. We hope you enjoy this one!

A floral sip for spring's brightest days. Our first mocktail drop... and she's a beauty.

Grey Gardens

• 2 ounces Earl Grey tea

• 3/4 ounce lemon juice

• 3/4-1 ounce simple syrup

• 2-3 dashes grapefruit or rhubarb bitters

For the Early Grey Tea

• 16 ounces water

• 1 Earl Grey teabag

Instructions:

1. Since it will serve as the base of your mocktail, you’ll want the tea flavorful but not overpowering. Use water that's nearly boiling (about 200°F) and steep for 2-2.5 minutes to extract a gentle, balanced infusion. Let the tea cool completely before mixing.

2. In a shaker filled with ice, combine your cooled tea, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a few dashes of grapefruit (or rhubarb) bitters. Shake until well chilled, then strain into a coupe glass.

3. Garnish with a pansy—or any edible flower.

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