Morning Routine: set yourself up for success
You can feel in control of your day. Think about your non-negotiables. Set the bar low, so that you barely have to lift your foot up to step over it toward “success.” But, do make a plan - preferably a morning routine and evening routine - even if you need to build in flexibility to the plan.
Years ago, I started exploring a morning routine. There’s tons of advice out there on this - in books, podcasts, from influencers and moguls. It took me a few years until I realized that none of them live my life and that is why I couldn’t stick with their routines. That shift in mindset made all the difference. I continued to experiment find find what worked for me in this season of life; kept what worked for me, ditched what didn’t and have continued to tweak it over the years so that it brings value to my day. It’s to the point where if I don’t do my morning routine, I feel off and less satisfied with my day. I like it so much, it has become a ritual, a word that seems more comforting and supportive than “routine.”
Right now, my morning ritual looks like this (it continues to evolve):
Wake up without an alarm (because I went to bed at my bedtime)
Drink 1 big glass of water with unflavored electrolytes.
Meditate for 10 minutes using guided mediation on the Insight Timer App, while sitting in front of my red light therapy panel.
Yoga for 10-15 minutes on YouTube; currently a fan of Yoga with Kassandra.
Make coffee.
When not freezing, go outside around sunrise to get sunlight in my eyes without glasses or contracts, to set my circadian rhythm and stand on the ground with my bare feet to better maintain energy levels all day.
Drink 1 small cup of coffee (just started adding paleo protein powder).
Drink second big glass of water and get ready for the day.
Eat breakfast when I’m hungry.
Pack my lunch and snacks before I head to work.
If I’m pressed for time, my non-negotiables are water, either yoga or meditation, and coffee. This is working for me in this season of my life - it makes me feel a sense of control that sets me up for success for the rest of the day. What does your morning routine look like? Is it working or could it use a tune-up? Let me know!
