Morning Routine: The Basics
A Power Move You Can Stick To
I remember reading in Holly Whitaker’s book Quit Like A Woman, that the best way to stop the nightly ritual of reaching for a drink is to build a morning ritual. Make the foundation of your day SO solid that you don’t feel the need to reach for what’s easy when you’re beat at the end of the day. Makes sense, right? It’s like frontloading when you’re fresh: investing in yourself first thing so you don’t have to pick up the pieces when you’re empty.
One of my students is in a period of transition and struggling to find a morning structure she can get excited about and stick to. On our 1:1 Strategy call this week, we returned to the morning routine in its simplest form. I thought it might be helpful to share with you!
Here are the basics. Made to be adapted to YOU.
Prep:
Space + Materials
Designate Your Space
choose a space in your home to claim for yourself
it can be the corner of a closet, a chair with a side table, or a spot on the couch near a bookcase.
carving out a cozy nook in your home is about more than just upholstery and lighting. Choosing to take up space is a step in the direction of taking your power back. You might feel resistance. I know I did. Do it anyway.
Decorate Your Space
gather objects, art, and artifacts that spark joy and inspiration.
A woodpecker feather you found on a nature walk, a seashell from your last beach trip, a framed photo of your great grandmother, a favorite book, a brass candlestick you found at a vintage store, a furry blanket that gives off “hibernation cocoon” vibes.
You want to create a space you’re excited to hang out in when you wake up. That beckons you to its din each morning like a sunrise spell.
Indulgent Materials
I’m not saying you need to spend a million dollars. I AM saying the materials you use need to make you feel pleasure. A reward, a treat, a tongue of melting chocolate first thing in the morning. You are signaling to the Universe that you SEE YOUR WORTH. And you are honoring the hell out of it.
Reframe
From: i am selfishly spending all this frivolous money
To: I AM INVESTING IN MY HIGHEST SELF
Indulgent Materials I use:
Wooden Spoons (the soft chink sound they make against my coffee mug is …. if you want more ideas for sensory pleasure, watch the French film “Amelie”)
Leuchtturm Journal (It makes me want to write/co-create with it/climb inside)
Incense of the West (cedar) incense bricks
Box of long, thick, witchy matches (delightful to strike)
Moka Pot for coffee (turns my morning brew into a yummy step-by-step sensual ritual)
A sexy pen (I love Pilot G2 1.0Bold points forever. Find one whose heart you love dragging across the page)
Application:
Time + Procedure
Set your alarm clock for 30 minutes earlier than usual
Reframe
From: i’m not a morning person, this sucks, i can’t do it
To: I AM WILLING TO TRY SOMETHING NEW IN FAVOR OF MY HIGHEST SELF
Commit to 5 days. Track how you feel for these 5 days. If you feel the same, see me for a full refund. That’s how certain I am that your life will improve with this practice.
Keep your phone on silent/ do not check social media
Fill the kettle/moka pot/coffee machine. Put kettle on the stove. Turn on the burner.
Take your favorite mug from the cabinet and load it up with a tea bag or coffee.
Head to your designated space.
strike the good match. Light your candle
light your incense and place it in the incense holder
close your eyes. Put your hands over your heart.
take ten box breaths (In for 4. Hold for 4. Out for 4. Hold for 4)
Keep breathing and sitting in stillness with yourself until the coffee brews/kettle boils. You will want to check your phone. Don’t.
Get up and slowly walk to the kitchen. Face the countertop with both hips. Feet planted solidly. Pour your brew into the cup S L O W L Y. Watch the magical elixir river from one vessel to the other. Breathe in the steam. Silently thank the unseen forces that made this moment possible; for this divine gift that adds a luxurious quality to your morning. Hug the cup with both hands. Feel the transfer of heat warming cold fingers.
Get the heavy whipping cream and/or honey out, along with your wooden spoon. Stir. Allow this to be a sensorial awakening.
Take your treasure back to the bat cave.
Take out your journal: Clear space in your psyche.
Freewrite for 10 minutes. You can get out your phone ONLY to set a timer for 10 minutes.
Starter prompts for journaling:
Right now, I feel . . .
Last night I dreamed . . .
I’m worried about . . .
Let whatever is keeping you frozen and stuck melt onto the page. It may feel just like regular old journaling to you, but this is an energetic release technique. Instead of stuffing your feelings, fears, and dreams, you free them to take up space in the physical world. Maybe all they wanted was to be acknowledged before they were ready to stop haunting you.
Give your journaling permission to be what it wants to be without ANY parameters apart from time (10 mins). Avoid being precious with your handwriting or words. If they are important, they will find a way to boomerang back to you.
HI,
I love you. I hope you find this helpful. Your readership means everything to me. Thank you for being here. I believe in you. You have done so many hard things. You can totally do this.
Your friend,
Rosie