How is your morning routine working for you?
Image by Ryan McGuire from Pixabay
Mornings are not always my favorite. I need at least one cup (realistically, two) of coffee and some bright sunlight to feel like a functioning human. I think I’m wired to be a night owl, though nowadays I’m usually drifting into lala land around 10 p.m. so I can be up at 6 a.m.
Given a choice, I’d sleep till 7:30 a.m., and some mornings I can, but not always. Parents, I know you are at the whims of your kids’ sleep schedules, and I can’t imagine what that’s like. All I know is, I’m the kinda person who has to ease into the world each day, and my morning routine has become super important to that process.
The routine has varied greatly over the years. I used to get up two hours before my workday started so I could have a leisurely breakfast, shower, and do a little reading. Then I’d listen to Minnesota Public Radio or The Current on my commute, depending on my mood. By the time I got to work, I felt sharp and ready to hit the ground running.
My current routine is a condensed version of that: Coffee and breakfast, a quicker shower (thank you, dry shampoo!) and a little scrolling (I’m human). The radio usually stays off during my drive to work so I can mentally prepare for my day, say a prayer, do some breathwork or hum to myself. If it’s my coaching day, I like to go for a walk before it gets too hot, and then I tidy up around the house (empty the dishwasher, start a load of laundry) before my meetings begin. This gets the blood pumping and helps me wake up. It also makes me feel like I accomplished something, which might sound silly, but somehow it motivates me. This morning I added some stretching before my walk, and it felt amazing.
On Thursday mornings, I always have a call with my pal Leigh Ann, whom I met through the Mayo Clinic health and wellness coach training program. Though we live thousands of miles apart (me: Minnesota; she: Florida), our weekly calls have kept me grounded and hopeful as we support each other and share what we’ve learned about coaching that week.
What does your morning routine look like? What do you like about it? Is there anything you’d like to change?
I periodically make tweaks to mine. Whereas once I liked the intellectual stimulation of news radio in the morning, now I find it can trigger anxiety for me, so I postpone my news consumption for later in the day when I can better process it. Over the next few weeks, I’m planning to take morning walks before I leave for the office since it’s been too hot later in the day. I love the crisp, cool quiet of mornings before the hustle begins, and I always feel more creative afterward. Maybe I can piggyback a little writing time onto this morning walking habit.
The key is finding a routine that works for you and what you need at this phase of your life. If you’d like support in this process, I’d love to chat with you about it.
***
Feeling stuck in your writing creativity and wellness habits? I’m a nationally certified wellness coach who helps writers and others form sustainable habits to reach their wellness and creative goals. Want to learn more? Click here for a free consultation. You can read more about my services at https://www.connectiontowellness.com/writers-creative-wellbeing.