Morning Routine
One of the things that can really help us through times of transition and change is to have a regular routine. Many of us have lost this since lockdown and we can feel like the day is ‘happening to us’ and we can feel out of control.
For a while now I have been getting up early in the mornings and I’ve slowly created a ‘morning routine’ that works well for me and that I sometimes share with my clients. It’s fair to say I’ve found this practice of getting up before everyone else and having time to myself quite transformative. Since we have been in lockdown I would say it’s the number one thing that has made a difference to my day and if I’m not able to do it I find myself feeling reactive throughout the day.
I’m conscious that early morning don’t work for everyone (especially if you have young children who wake up before you) but hopefully the principles are helpful and can be adapted for your life stage and situation. For some of us it might be taking time once a week for some of these practices.
I’ve been having a lot of conversations this week with people who are exploring new rhythms and routines and I thought it might be helpful if I shared a little about what has worked for me.
My Morning Routine
My alarm goes off at 6am and I head downstairs to grab a cup of tea. What I do next is a combination of the following and not always in this order. Some times I focus on doing one of them (if time is short), the key is not creating another list of things to do before I start the day but exploring which ones are helpful. The thing that is most important for me is (1) time on my own and (2) time to think and process before the day starts.
Stillness Silence
I try and take a few moments at the start of the day to still my mind. I’ve realised that as I begin to wake up my mind starts to think of all the things that need to be done and any concerns can take centre stage. So I try and take a few moments to be still and pay attention to what feelings are arising. I find it helpful to write them down in my journal. The key is to notice your thoughts and emotions but without judgement and not to dwell on them. For example, simply notice if you’re feeling:
Anxious (about a conversation you need to have or decision you need to make)
Grateful (for family and friends)
Tired (physically or mentally)
Overwhelmed (by the uncertainty in your life)
I have found the practice of naming but not judging what I’m thinking or feeling very helpful.
Prayer and Bible
My faith shapes everything else I do and each morning I take time to pray and read my Bible. As I’m often still waking up I find using books or tools helpful in focusing my mind. For example Lectio 365 (24-7 daily prayer devotional app), Youversion Bible app and I’m a big fan of Pete Scazzero’s Daily Office.
Stretching
Stress often shows up in our body and we can feel stiff in our neck, back or shoulders. It’s the thing that I’m most likely to skip on the morning if time is short but I really notice the difference when I do it. Sometimes it’s just while the kettle is boiling. If you’re not sure where to start just Google morning stretches and there are lots of short 10 minute videos.
Set some intentions for the day
I’m someone that has always found a to do list really helpful, it clears my mind and sets my direction. However the danger is that long lists of what we need to do can make us feel overwhelmed. When we set intentions for the day it feels more empowering and it reframes our mindset and priorities for the coming day. For example:
I am going to be grateful today.
I am going to accept the current limitations on my time and capacity.
I am going to look for the opportunities in difficult situations.
I am going to be patient (with myself and others)
I am going to prioritise my wellbeing.
If you’ve never tried starting your day early why not play with some of these ideas and see what works for you. I’d love to hear how you get on.
Zoe