I’m not very good with breakfast. I try. I really do. But most of the time, I’m not hungry.
The sleeping tablets really help with insomnia, but they mess with my stomach in the morning. But I know if I don’t eat something, I will get a headache. So I end up forcing myself to eat, and not enjoying it.
There’s too much choice, and I end up overwhelmed. And it’s not the best table, full of dad’s clutter. And my mum likes to pace up and down the kitchen, and exhaust me with her nerves before I even take a bite. So I end up fidgety, not eating any breakfast, snacking when I do feel hungry. I know it’s not healthy. I know breakfast is meant to be the most important meal of the day. But I struggle with it.
I’ve tried a few things, for breakfast, to eat something. I do like cereal, but too big a portion causes problems. And some cereal tastes like gravel, too hard to try. I did try some cereals for a while, but soon got tired of them.
My current trend is these microwaveable waffles. They’re not very expensive. But they taste nice. They’re soft, and not too big, and my stomach seems to like them. There’s a plain flavour which I prefer but also a chocolate one which is also nice. Paired with a cup of tea, they work great. I’ve found a small quiet space in the house to have them in, which reduces sensory overload, and take my time eating them.
In Amsterdam, I fell in love with stroopwafels. They were perfect for breakfast, small and sweet, even if they were basically sugar. So I was excited to find them in a local Sainsburys, and made them part of my breakfast, if I’m out of waffles. Or if I’m not hungry straight away, which often happens. I’ve tried to be kinder to myself about that, just eaten when I’ve felt a bit hungrier. I’ve learnt to listen to my body more, and if I get hungry on the way to the office, I can always stop for a pastry.
With the office, I often stop for a small something. I pick up a coffee, and maybe a croissant or a donut, or a cinnamon roll. I take it to the park near the office, and take my time eating whichever it is, and don’t beat myself up if I can’t finish it.
The only problems that arise with breakfasts is when I’m away. If I’m in a hotel, and they offer a breakfast. But there, I just have to be mindful of how much I want, and not take on too much even if everything is available. It doesn’t always work. But it helps.
What I’m saying is that although breakfast may be hard, its better, because I’ve found my own ways of doing it. And that’s often what you have to do in life. Find your own ways of doing things, and then you can achieve wonders. Even if its just a sprinkled donut for breakfast. If it makes you happy, go for it.
