My Morning Routine
A morning routine plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the rest of the day and can significantly impact your overall productivity, mental well-being, and success. Throughout the years I’ve tried various things - adding in workouts, laying in the Heat Healer sauna blanket, going for walks, meditations, journaling, and more. These are the things that I’ve found that I stick to consistently while adding in a few others in different seasons of life.
To be informed on what is going on in the world at a high level, I listen to NPR’s Up First. It’s a quick 10-15 minute overview of important topics I need to have an awareness of, without going overboard. It also allows me to decide what news stories I should dive deeper into, if any.
Immediately following, I listen to 7 Good Minutes by Clyde Lee Dennis. It’s seven minutes or less of self-improvement tips, life skills training, and goal achieving inspiration. It allows me to jump start the day on a positive note.
I make coffee and enjoy it while sitting on the front porch watching Turbo play outside or on the back deck staring off into the mountains. Two places that I love to be and find peace.
While drinking coffee I have a journaling routine. I personally do a quick daily journal on my phone (I have a Samsung with a stylus), but you can do a paper format as well. I start by writing 5 things that have happened in the last 24 hours that I am grateful for, that brought me happiness, or that made me smile / laugh. Then I write the same ten things each day. Ten phrases of who I want to be or intentions I have in life, as if they’ve already happened.
Some of my current ones are:
I am an exceptional mama.
I co-parent peacefully with Tristan.
I am patient in my relationship with Damon.
I practice self-care and grace.
I own a lakehouse.
The app Insight Timer is free and has a fantastic guided meditation I listen to while I am doing my makeup and getting ready after I shower: Power Affirmations to Kick Start Your Day by JuneB.
Just like life, routines can and should change as you evolve or move through different phases. I also believe heavily in the 80/20 rule with my morning routine. If I’m doing it 80% of the time, I’m happy. The other 20% (sleeping in on the weekend, allowing myself to hit the snooze occasionally if I need it) is a-okay with me.
