5 steps to kick-start your morning
Whether you’re time poor or rich, we all have some form of a morning routine. From my experience, it pays to get clear on how it looks.
Prior to September 2019 my mornings were an unfulfilling blur, but since then I’ve strived to change that.
Here’s the 5 steps I follow to kick my day off on the right footing!
1) Journaling
Possibly TMI but getting acquainted with the bathroom is high priority once my body is vertical. Upon waking, I used to mindlessly scroll through social media and sport news. Now I write in a physical journal.
The length and depth of my entries vary based on how I feel, but each morning I write about five things: 3x grateful, yesterday I was proud, yesterday’s learning, today I release and today I am excited. In the evening I review my day by writing one thing: 3x went well.
I start positively oriented, dive into challenging aspects in the middle and finish feeling enthusiastic and energetic. I also complete succinct weekly, monthly and yearly reviews to capture the essence of that period of time.
Journalling helps me unpack my inner world and has become the key activity of my morning. This process has helped to highlight repeat patterns, clearly displaying what I’m grateful for, value, love, prioritise, need to release and want to improve.
Journalling helps me unpack my inner world and has become the key activity of my morning.
Alternatively, try pouring out thoughts in freestyle form or verbalising affirmations. Whilst in the loo, you could read a book or listen to a podcast.
2) Cold showers
This isn’t revolutionary stuff, but like many others, I shower each morning. Until recently, I would leave the shower tired, hazy and borderline sweating.
I’m no Wim Hof, but nowadays I finish my showers cold and I come out feeling energised, reinvigorated, awake and alive.
3) Movement
I find movement hugely beneficial to stop thinking and start feeling, so I complete some form of exercise/stretching each morning, whether high or low intensity, indoors or outdoors, guided or free.
Often, I accompany the movement with music. The music can align with my mood and dictate the pace, or my mood can dictate the music.
You could sing and dance, play team or individual sport, go to the gym, or find any other physical expression that activates you.
4) Meditation
Whether my practice feels blasé, chaotic, psychedelic, grounding or transformative, I try to lower my judgement of what occurred, and simply accept, observe and enjoy it for what it is.
There is beauty in stillness.
5) Extras
During my morning routine, social media is completely avoided to reduce unnecessary distractions that break my flow-state.
Phone usage is limited to an occasional weather check (in case I want to exercise or meditate outdoors). At times I also play music and meditate on do not disturb mode.
I intermittent fast, thus skipping breakfast. One huge upside of this is that I have even more time and space to conduct my morning activities! I also drink plenty of water. Water is good.
Ultimately, my aim is to blend practices that wake up my mind and body and give my day a base to build from.
Ultimately, my aim is to blend practices that wake up my mind and body and give my day a base to build from.
It’s important to note that my routine can vary. Sometimes my process is long and indulgent, sometimes it’s rapid and condensed. Occasionally I skip one aspect as a ‘circuit-breaker’, sometimes I extend another.
All aspects can be abbreviated though, so there’s few excuses for me to skip the process entirely. The same probably goes for you.
One morning I slept through my alarm and was in a mad scramble to get ready for work. My morning consisted of (approximately) 2 minutes journaling, a 1 minute shower (30 seconds cold), 2 minutes stretching and 5 minutes meditating.
Only 10 minutes of combined activity and yet I felt calm in the mind and body thereafter. It was far better doing something rather than nothing.
Perhaps you’re asking yourself what morning routine would suit you. Some people are structured, whilst others are more flowwy. We’re all unique.
I’ve always been an organised person, but during a solo trip to Europe a few years back, I decided to live (and love) an impulsive existence. Since returning, I’ve naturally slid back into structure, with periods of spontaneity in between.
Let’s play a game. Place yourself on an unplanned to planned scale:
1 (unplanned) < — — — — — —> 10 (planned)
Step 1: Work out where you sit (I believe I’m a 7.5).
Step 2: Think about the balance your morning needs.
Step 3: Ask yourself… Why not set up my day in a mindful way?
If anyone would like to know more about my music playlists, mediation techniques or any other aspect mentioned, I’m happy to share anything.
I’d also love to hear what YOUR morning routine ideas are!
