Before I started my morning ritual, a typical day started like this: I’d jump out of bed, hop in the shower, rush through my get-ready routine, run out the door late, of course, then suffer through the stressful drive to the office.
All that before 9 a.m.
Yep, I was a mess!
I numbingly endured my frazzled mornings, day after day, not realizing it could be different. The truth is, that most of us live in a place of being stuck in a routine, reacting to it instead of purposefully creating it.
Fortunately, I joined a yearlong leadership program that included a morning ritual. It wasn’t frantic; it wasn’t on autopilot. In fact, it was intentional, conscious, and refreshing.
Here’s a glimpse at how different my morning became:
Each morning, we would get up and do an exercise that was grounding and allowed us to show our gratitude for what we had in our lives. We spent some time in nature, reflecting on what was around us. We allowed ourselves to slow down enough to truly see the beauty that is right in front of us every day.
Then it was off to journaling, a practice that I certainly wasn’t used to and resisted at first.
What did I possibly have to write about? I needed to get going with my day. What I discovered was that writing is a way to take time for me. It gives me space to pause and put intention into starting my day.
After I saw the results, I began to love my morning ritual and writing.
Here’s a challenge for you:
If your morning routine causes you to feel discombobulated, ask yourself how you can create your own doable morning ritual.
If you carve out a little extra time for yourself in the morning, it will pay huge dividends throughout the rest of your day. I promise!
Below are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Wake up 30 minutes earlier. I know, I know, but you’ll thank me for it later.
- Begin your day by being silent. Yes, silent. Find a quiet area in your house, a comfortable spot to sit, and set a timer on your phone for 15 minutes—just 15 minutes. Close your eyes, clear your mind, and get really quiet. Begin to notice your breath. Pay attention to how you are breathing. If a thought comes into your mind, simply let it come in and refocus on your breath. Notice how you feel when your timer goes off. My guess is you will feel more relaxed, centered, and ready to start your day.
- Next, set an intention that will guide you through your day. What does it mean to be intentional about your day? It means that you are in control. It means that you get to decide how you approach your day and what you do with it. Think about how you would like your day to be. Instead of beginning in reactive mode, you get to create your day with intention.
Here are some examples:
- Today, I will be self-confident.
- Today, I will be in control.
- Today, I will remain positive.
Make your intention anything that serves you. The more you do it, the more in control you’ll feel—not only over your day, but your life.
Do you have a sacred morning routine that centers you throughout the day?
Do tell! Share your ritual in the comments below!
