Growing up, I, like many others, was always told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, we all now know that was total BS (if you eat breakfast within your first few hours of waking up, I highly encourage you to stop).
However, our morning routine is in fact, the most important part of our day. It’s what sets the tone for our entire day, it’s what gives our day its purpose, and it’s how we greet the world every day. Starting our day with positivity, productivity, and purpose is incredibly powerful. Taking advantage of those quiet, early hours is unlike anything else.
A solid morning routine is something I started taking seriously in college. Before implementing a consciously planned morning routine, my days had no purpose. I suffered from what you might call ‘decision fatigue’. Because nothing was planned, I had to wake up every single day trying to decide what I should do first. Should I eat breakfast? Should I go to the gym? Should I watch TV? Should I check my emails? Should I clean the house? Every single day was different because I had no plan. After exhaustingly doing this for a while, I started to just make no decisions at all. I would just lay in bed, not really caring what I would do next, as long as I didn’t have to make a decision. Often times I’d just fall back asleep so I didn’t have to think about it.
How did I break this vicious cycle? I started planning my mornings. I also read an incredible book I highly recommend called The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma.
My morning routine has changed and evolved over the last few years. I am no longer in school and I now run a business. I now have a dog. I now have a larger house to take care of and maintain (versus my crappy college house with 3 roommates). Because of these things, I have been forced to adapt my routine based on my situation. However, just because the order of my routine has changed and I’ve added a few things, doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten my core tasks. There are certain things that I will always do in the morning, no matter what my living situation is. Outlined below is my current morning routine.
8:00pm
A good morning routine really starts the night before. Around 8-9pm, I start winding down. I’ll make a cup of decaf tea, make my schedule for the next day, finish up any work, and I’ll shut off all screens. I’m in bed around 9-10pm and I read for about 30 minutes on my Kindle. The cool thing about Kindle’s is that they don’t affect our melatonin production or sleep cycles (unlike most screens) because they don’t emit blue light and they are not backlit.
6:00am
Because I need a minimum of 8 hours of sleep and I take sleep very seriously, as should you, my day starts at 6am. I do a few quick tasks such as letting the dog outside and making a cup of black coffee (this does not break a fast).
6:30am
I spend the next 45 minutes journaling and writing (usually this blog). Writing down (or typing) ideas, thoughts, and feelings is so important. I can't stress this enough.
7:15am
I then spend 10 minutes meditating. Meditation has become a staple of my daily routine for many reasons. Some of my best ideas come to me when meditating. It gives me a chance to go inside my mind for a minute, take inventory, and set my purpose for the day.
7:30am
I’ll check emails and reply to any important messages. I’ll admittedly do a quick FB or IG scroll as well.
7:45am
Next, I’ll take the dog for a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood. This is great for a number of reasons. First, the dog is happy and gets some exercise. It also gives me the chance to get moving and get some sunlight in my eyes. A quick morning walk has some incredible powers and will work wonders in your life, I promise.
8:00am
Now I go for my morning run. This will vary based on where I’m at in my training plan. It can be anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.
8:30am-12:00pm
After returning from my run, I’ll get cleaned up and start my work for the day.
12:00pm
After working for a bit, I'll eat my first meal of the day. No matter what, I do not eat before noon or after 8pm. Intermittent fasting has changed my life in so many ways. I have more energy, I never have that uncomfortable bloated or 'full' feeling, I don't eat nearly as much junk food, and I don't waste time making food or deciding what to eat in the mornings. I can't recommend this enough. If you need any more information on IM, I encourage you to check out Two Meals a Day by Mark Sisson.
Now, I know I’m fortunate enough to work for myself and operate on my own schedule. I also know that my routine isn’t one-size-fits-all. We are all unique, complex humans and we all operate on different terms. I know that for those with kids, long commutes, nightshifts, odd hours, or the like, this type of schedule may not work for you. However, you must find what works for you. Do some experimenting to figure out what works for you. Let it evolve over time to fit your ever-evolving needs.
Whatever you do, it’s imperative that you find a routine that enables you to begin your days with positivity, productivity, and purpose.
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