My Morning Routine

Today I want to talk about morning routines. A quick Google search would tell you why we could all benefit from a morning routine, how some of the most successful people have morning routines and what theirs look like, and how you can have your own. If you’re looking for me to take an opposite viewpoint on this, sorry sister, it’s not happening. I’m all about a morning routine.

My morning routine brings me structure, stability, a reason to wake up in the morning. It helps me feel more focused, productive, balanced, positive, less-stressed and better able to handle the stresses of the day. But what I will say is that I don’t think YOUR morning routine has to look like MY morning routine. What I do believe though is that it can be helpful to see how various people structure their mornings so if you don’t have one, you have some ideas on how to build one. If you do have a morning routine, then maybe this may help you refine yours. Regardless, feel free to take what works for you and leave what doesn’t. This is my routine whether it happens at 4am, 6am, or 8am.

Step 1: Journal
I journal on my goals and desires. This includes long-term goals and short term goals. Lately, I’ve been following the “Start Today Journal” process by Rachel Hollis and then add on a bit more at the end to really free write some affirmations and intentions that I’m working on.

Step 2: Meditate
This generally lasts 5-10 minutes. Sometimes it’s guided and other times it’s self-guided, but lately, I’ve been really into a Gabby Bernstein “Creative Visualization” meditation so I’ve been listening to that more than not. You can always check out my Intention Setting Meditation if you’re looking for a guided option!

Step 3: Workout
I’ve admitted that it’s been harder to squeeze my morning workouts in since getting Poncho. He has a hard time when I leave (barking/bark-howling) which if it bugs my neighbors during the workday, I’m sure it’ll send them into a tizzy (and understandably so) at 6am. Thankfully, I do have some light weights in my apartment so I’m getting some workouts in where I can, moving some to after work if needed, or moving onto Step 4 and calling that good enough.

Step 4: Walk the Pup
The colder temps and icy sidewalks the last couple weeks have made this harder, but otherwise a morning walk with the pup has been nice for both of us. He’s getting better on his leash (though we still have a lot of room for improvement) but I’ve had a few mornings where I’ll put a podcast or audiobook in my ear, bring my coffee along for the journey, and we’ll go on a good 30-60 minute walk to start the day which we both LOVE.

Step 5: Coffee, please!
Sure, sometimes this gets roped in a bit earlier (coffee AND water join my workout or while walking the pup), but I can’t discount this is a part of my morning routine. While I do enjoy black coffee, lately my coffee has been blended with coconut milk, collagen, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. It’s so good and definitely starts my morning on a high point!

From here, I obviously also shower and get ready for the day ahead. I’m not usually super hungry first thing in the morning (especially since I’m bulking up my coffee a bit), so I usually pack my breakfast to eat at the office. This may mean making a smoothie, overnight oats, or just packing a banana, nut butter, and a couple rice cakes.

Do you have a morning routine? If so, what makes up your morning routine? If you don’t, what holds you back? Let me know in the comments below!