I am one of those people who really enjoys a rigid morning routine. I do the same steps every single morning at the exact same time. I am someone who gets overwhelmed quite easily and having a rigid morning routine that looks the same every days helps me cruise on autopilot in the mornings. But, my morning routine does include many of the rituals you've mentioned. Move my body in a way that makes me feel good, no social media before 8:30 AM, maybe some reading.
I confess I'm reading this at 5 a.m. I've been awake since 4 because my wife and recently decided to get divorced so I'm not sleeping well. Just a little mapping out of the weekend as I work on the plan for downsizing our home....My morning routines ground me. I make coffee, have home made granola and yogurt with fruit. I read National Geographic or the Smithsonian. Do a bit of yoga, walk the dog. Log on for work as a supervisor for a great team of social workers. Mid-morning I make Jasmine tea.
I am so relieved we finally made the decision to end this marriage. I have a strong network of friends and am looking forward to this next phase of my life at 59!
All right putting down the phone to journal. Thanks for reading!
I have recently been letting go of routine in favour of ritual and working with my own body's flow and intuition and it is making a world of difference. This was helpful, thanks!
It's a surprisingly massive shift! I really didn't anticipate how differently it sets up my days in ways that make sense for me. Big benefits for sure.
LOVE this post. I've also been getting better at honouring the season I'm in - meaning seeing what the day looks like and deciding my morning routine around that; whether it's yoga, a long walk, or reading in bed. It's very calming to know I can bend the routine to suit actual life, rather than feeling stressed if I don't have time to fit something in.
Also "Listen to music instead of podcasts before 9am. Honestly, this is just one I do because I know it boosts my mood." LOVE this idea! I spend so much of my life listening to podcasts which use up so much more brain power, so might try this a few days a week! Music can be SUCH a mood booster x
Love this softer approach, rituals instead of routines! I love routines, and I know they make me feel better, but only when I follow them strictly and they go exactly according to plan which is almost... never. Now that I have a little one she's the one deciding how the morning goes, but I might take some inspiration from this and see if I can build in some rituals to help keep me grounded... Thank you!
I loved this. I spend most days feeling guilty for struggling to have a consistent daily routine and for not always ticking off my to do list. But there are so many factors that can affect these things, and I think it’s important for us to be kinder to ourselves about it. Thank you for sharing ❤️
I love hearing about other peoples morning routines, or how they navigate their days generally actually! It’s so lovely to hear that you listen to your body, and go with the seasons. That’s been the biggest shift in my morning routine too. I generally rise at 6.15, apply the JFDI approach to getting out of bed, put my exercise clothes on as soon as I get downstairs, crank up the coffee machine, put on the fairy lights and or light a candle, then read for a little (a development book and a litttle of my favourite substacks, I just keep discovering more!) before doing a workout (hiit and weights if energy is high, yoga or stretching if low) then I wake the family and we get going through that chaotic hour before school and work. It’s such a precious time and my day usually goes off piste if I don’t have that time.
I think I need to invest in some fairy lights this time of year, sounds so lovely and cosy! I'm pregnant and can imagine once our family grows I'll need to think a little more about how I want that time before everyone rises to look. Sounds like a really lovely start to your day!
As someone who experiences ADHD, I share your need for no social media in the mornings - mine seems to have expanded a little too much now to no phone until 5/6pm 😂 I'm sure I'll come to a place of balance with it soon!
I LOVE routine, which is why I tried to avoid it as much as possible. I find it far too distressing if my routine has to change. Like you, I prefer to think of rituals, and also anchors such as bed/wake times, meal times. I agree with limiting access to news. The search for balance goes on! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.
Ahh that's so interesting! Reflecting now I think the same used to be true for me, I was so rigid that it would frustrate me if plans had to change/ life happened! It feels good to be in a softer place with it all now
I am one of those people who really enjoys a rigid morning routine. I do the same steps every single morning at the exact same time. I am someone who gets overwhelmed quite easily and having a rigid morning routine that looks the same every days helps me cruise on autopilot in the mornings. But, my morning routine does include many of the rituals you've mentioned. Move my body in a way that makes me feel good, no social media before 8:30 AM, maybe some reading.
I confess I'm reading this at 5 a.m. I've been awake since 4 because my wife and recently decided to get divorced so I'm not sleeping well. Just a little mapping out of the weekend as I work on the plan for downsizing our home....My morning routines ground me. I make coffee, have home made granola and yogurt with fruit. I read National Geographic or the Smithsonian. Do a bit of yoga, walk the dog. Log on for work as a supervisor for a great team of social workers. Mid-morning I make Jasmine tea.
I am so relieved we finally made the decision to end this marriage. I have a strong network of friends and am looking forward to this next phase of my life at 59!
All right putting down the phone to journal. Thanks for reading!
I have recently been letting go of routine in favour of ritual and working with my own body's flow and intuition and it is making a world of difference. This was helpful, thanks!
it's quite a big shift right? It took me a while to get into the swing of it but the benefits are huge!
It's a surprisingly massive shift! I really didn't anticipate how differently it sets up my days in ways that make sense for me. Big benefits for sure.
An awful awful routine so glad you managed to scale down 💖
LOVE this post. I've also been getting better at honouring the season I'm in - meaning seeing what the day looks like and deciding my morning routine around that; whether it's yoga, a long walk, or reading in bed. It's very calming to know I can bend the routine to suit actual life, rather than feeling stressed if I don't have time to fit something in.
Also "Listen to music instead of podcasts before 9am. Honestly, this is just one I do because I know it boosts my mood." LOVE this idea! I spend so much of my life listening to podcasts which use up so much more brain power, so might try this a few days a week! Music can be SUCH a mood booster x
Love this softer approach, rituals instead of routines! I love routines, and I know they make me feel better, but only when I follow them strictly and they go exactly according to plan which is almost... never. Now that I have a little one she's the one deciding how the morning goes, but I might take some inspiration from this and see if I can build in some rituals to help keep me grounded... Thank you!
I loved this. I spend most days feeling guilty for struggling to have a consistent daily routine and for not always ticking off my to do list. But there are so many factors that can affect these things, and I think it’s important for us to be kinder to ourselves about it. Thank you for sharing ❤️
This looks pretty similar to how I like my mornings to go!!
I love hearing about other peoples morning routines, or how they navigate their days generally actually! It’s so lovely to hear that you listen to your body, and go with the seasons. That’s been the biggest shift in my morning routine too. I generally rise at 6.15, apply the JFDI approach to getting out of bed, put my exercise clothes on as soon as I get downstairs, crank up the coffee machine, put on the fairy lights and or light a candle, then read for a little (a development book and a litttle of my favourite substacks, I just keep discovering more!) before doing a workout (hiit and weights if energy is high, yoga or stretching if low) then I wake the family and we get going through that chaotic hour before school and work. It’s such a precious time and my day usually goes off piste if I don’t have that time.
I think I need to invest in some fairy lights this time of year, sounds so lovely and cosy! I'm pregnant and can imagine once our family grows I'll need to think a little more about how I want that time before everyone rises to look. Sounds like a really lovely start to your day!
As someone who experiences ADHD, I share your need for no social media in the mornings - mine seems to have expanded a little too much now to no phone until 5/6pm 😂 I'm sure I'll come to a place of balance with it soon!
honestly I think I need to go much later too 😅 slowly working up to less phone time and getting away from the constant dopamine!
All totally resonates with me....I too have undiagnosed ADHD. Strict morning routines are definitely not for everyone. Thanks for sharing :-)
I LOVE routine, which is why I tried to avoid it as much as possible. I find it far too distressing if my routine has to change. Like you, I prefer to think of rituals, and also anchors such as bed/wake times, meal times. I agree with limiting access to news. The search for balance goes on! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this.
Ahh that's so interesting! Reflecting now I think the same used to be true for me, I was so rigid that it would frustrate me if plans had to change/ life happened! It feels good to be in a softer place with it all now
Yes definitely! I also find they can sneak up on me :0D. A work in progress for sure.