– an Early Morning with Cold Bathing and Christmas Preparations
Everyday ADHD and presence often shows itself in the small things – in a very early morning, in a body that wakes before five, and in the need to do things at a slower pace. This morning is one of those. Nothing big happens, and yet everything is there.
Read this post in Swedish ->Vardag ADHD och närvaro
This morning is one of those. Nothing big happens, and yet everything is there.
Morning comes again. Very early.
Not strange at all, really – we went to bed early last night.
For me, this is everyday ADHD and presence – listening to the body, taking pauses, and allowing the tempo to be slow.
Yesterday we made more meatballs, but this time I was kinder to myself. I sat down and rolled them calmly, then we cooked them in the oven first and finished them with a bit of frying. My husband served dinner – meatballs with boiled or mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam, and gravy. Not bad at all.
Earlier that morning I had been at the lake for a cold bath. It was beautiful. A shimmering light spread across the water, and I chose to change outdoors so I wouldn’t miss the sun resting over the lake. It was three degrees below zero on land and five degrees above in the water.
You can’t stay in for more than a few minutes now. That’s enough – the body clearly says when it’s time to get out. But once you’ve been in the water, your emotions fall into sync with the moment. Calm arrives. Endorphins move through the body, thoughts become clearer, and life feels simpler.
I won’t pretend it isn’t incredibly pleasant to sit down in a warm car afterwards. The aches disappear for a while, and you feel more than alive after a cold bath.
Everyday ADHD and Presence in the Quiet of Christmas
In the afternoon, the pace slowed even more. I sat down in front of the TV and drew for a while. There is something soothing in letting the hand follow the thought, without demands or expectations. Everything doesn’t turn out as planned – and that’s perfectly fine. I drew many pictures, one after another, letting time pass.
The drawings are for little Hugo. He appreciates it when Grandma draws for him, and they need to be Christmas-themed – Hugo loves Christmas drawings. Sitting there and drawing with him in mind felt like another way of being present, without rushing forward.
Almost immediately after the cold bath, I started with the meatballs. The beautiful weather also invited us out for a walk. It was slippery in places, but so lovely to finally feel the sun and the cold air against my cheeks.
Today I plan to bake a little and make some marzipan treats.
Tomorrow it will be egg cheese, rice pudding, Janssons, the Christmas ham – and all the other preparations so everything is ready for Christmas Eve.
ADHD in Everyday Life – Presence in the Small Moments
Christmas is approaching now. This gentle holiday is about to begin, and it starts early for us here at home. My daughter will arrive before dawn, it feels like. That’s fine. We’re planning to serve a Christmas lunch – some porridge, ham sandwiches, and herring. Dinner will be later in the evening.
That evening, my husband’s daughter will be our only guest. My daughter and her family will be with her partner’s parents, and Simon – who arrives already tomorrow – will be with his partner’s family.
Simon and his girlfriend have decided we’re having an “uppesittarkväll” with Bingo Lotto.
Hmm, I say – but I’ll go along with it. I haven’t played Bingo Lotto since 1994. It’s not really my thing. But Alfred sold the tickets for his football club, and sometimes you give in for the sake of the group.
I don’t yet know if there will be another cold bath today.
I don’t have to decide now – it’s not even five in the morning.
Maybe it will happen. Maybe it won’t. Time will tell.
Reflection – Everyday ADHD and Presence in the Small Moments
There is something quiet about these days.
Not because everything is the same as it always was – but because it’s allowed to be exactly as it is.
In everyday ADHD and presence, it often means letting go, listening inward, and allowing life to move at its own pace.
AHA – Between the Lines
Between cold bathing, meatballs, and Christmas preparations, there is a deeper movement.
A wish to care for the body. To choose presence over speed.
To accept that traditions change – without love disappearing.
This is a text about standing steady, even when Christmas pulls in different directions.
Questions for You as a Reader
What does calm mean to you right now?
Is there a tradition in your life that has changed – and how does that feel?
What helps you slow down when days move too fast?
Would You Like to Come Closer to Yourself?
If you want to deepen the sense of presence this text touches on, here are two gentle paths forward:
Course: Come closer to yourself – at a calm pace
https://malix.se/hitta-tillbaka-till-dig-sjalv
Presence & Conversations – book a session
https://malix.se/narvaro-samtal-boka-samtal
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Carina Ikonen Nilsson
Yesterday has already come to rest in history.
Tomorrow waits somewhere ahead.
But right now – this is where life happens.
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