The Most Impactful Change in My Life: Crafting a Morning Routine

The thing that has had the biggest impact on my life wasn't what you would expect. It wasn't a book, a class, or even a gym membership. For me, the most impactful thing I have done for myself is finding a morning routine that lights me up and prepares me for the day ahead. That sounds dramatic to say, but upon reflection, it honestly feels true. Let me explain…

The Importance of Intentional Mornings

For most of my life, I did not begin my day intentionally. I'm not going to say it prevented my success, but I will say that it did not set me up for success. Since forcing myself to slow down and reframe what I find important in life, I have found myself craving intention. I crave to be present for every moment and to make every decision in life intentionally, even the most seemingly minuscule thing. I have found myself embracing routines in my mornings and evenings—ways to ritualize my life and romanticize the moment. Since implementing these routines, I have found myself lit up inside; I feel like I am glowing! So I had to share in hopes someone else needs to hear this.

In a coming post, I will go over my evening rituals, but today let's start at the beginning of the day: the morning. There is no right or wrong way to craft a routine, but I will share some aspects that I find extremely fulfilling. Everyone is unique, so tailor this to your liking. The most important thing is to move with intention, to ground yourself, and to honor the life you have created for yourself.

Why a Morning Routine Can Benefit You

Let's first dive into why a routine may benefit you. As I mentioned earlier, for most of my life I never had a morning routine. I woke up when I needed to and fell asleep when I felt like it. I seemed to live my life around my day job and not the other way around, working around life. I feel like most people in the US understand this, but it is not a fulfilling life. Time seemed to pass by in a blur of 8-5:30 shifts. My mornings and nights revolved around preparing for the next shift, and my weekends were spent recovering from the week before. I lived my life anticipating and recovering. By constantly looking to the future or reflecting on the past, I lost the value of the present moment. After years of this, I became depressed and felt my life was passing me by. I knew I needed a change, but I didn't know what.

How I Crafted my Morning Routine

One day, I picked up a journal and began writing. At first, I wrote to release; I needed to be heard, even if just by myself. I didn't have many people I could connect deeply with, so I became that person for myself. What started as a need to get out my thoughts turned into a lifeline. Through journaling, I discovered the root of my unhappiness. A lack of intention was draining me. So, in the ways that I could, I started to bring intentionality into my life. For me, it began in the mornings where I would start the day reflecting and awakening my mind. I am most definitely a morning person. I love waking up while the world is still quiet. I find immense peace in the calm before sunrise. It is a time that I can spend by myself. I savor alone time, reveling in my own company. Soon, I started to add rituals before and after my journaling sessions, and my morning routine was born! I am not joking when I say this changed my life! I feel more drive, purpose, and direction than I ever had, and it took me truly tuning into myself to achieve that. Morning routines are a tool to help you get to that inner understanding.

Step One: Waking up with Gratitude

What helped me actually develop a routine was journaling, so that is definitely a core component. But personally, I need to wake up a bit before I am ready to write. The first thing I do when I wake up is to just be. Before I get out of bed, I notice how my body is feeling, how my energy is feeling. I lay there for a while, stretching if the feel arises, and just allowing myself to awaken. I notice the weather outside and what thoughts come to mind. While I lay there, I take time to express gratitude for the gift of another day.

Avoiding the Phone Temptation

It may be tempting to check your phone for messages and get a start on things or even look at social media. But I encourage you not to. There are many studies that show that whatever you first put focus on in the morning sets the mood for the day. I know this is definitely true for me. If I wake up and immediately start checking emails, I find myself in a frantic state the whole day, constantly seeking the next productive task to accomplish. To me, this energy does not feel good! By instead starting my day with gratitude for the universe, for myself, and for the life I have created, I find myself reveling in the beauty of the world for the rest of the day. This may sound far-fetched, but I promise you will notice a difference if you do this consistently. So step one: begin the day slowly and with gratitude.

Step Two: Skincare Magic: A Self-Care Ritual

Next, I head to the bathroom for a little skincare magic. I never used to do this either, but after launching my own skincare brand, I find myself craving the morning self-care ritual. I take my time connecting with my senses as I proceed through my skincare routine. Connecting with each step and enjoying the sensory experience. As I apply products, I like to connect with myself in the mirror. Saying affirmations of beauty and grace, reflecting on this beautiful body I inhabit and how thankful I am for having a body that supports me as mine does. That may sound strange or egotistical, but sometimes you need to hear how awesome you are, and to acknowledge the glory of having life! The confidence and gratitude I feel after doing this mirror work is amazing. I truly feel magnetic afterward!

Step Three: The Importance of Making Your Bed

Next, I return to my room to make my bed and pick up my room. I guarantee you have heard that making your bed is non-negotiable. And trust me, it is! There is nothing like entering into a clean and cozy room at the end of the day. Your future self will thank you for the less than five minutes of effort that it takes in the morning.

Step Four: Embracing Nature: The Morning Walk

The next thing I make sure that I do every morning is spend time outside. I go for a walk every morning. This has probably been the thing that has had the biggest impact on me. Working a full-time job, I used to feel disconnected from the world. Sometimes, I felt like days would go by without me connecting to the real world. Nature has always been home for me, so feeling disconnected from the Earth had a major impact on my mental well-being. My morning walks began to heal this. By getting outside every day and being a part of the world, I started to see beauty in everything again. The change of the seasons, noticing the weather every day, truly fulfills my soul. I have felt more connected to something more, and I want that for you too. I sometimes listen to a podcast, but I find that taking the time to be silent in my mind is much more impactful. Hearing the birds wake up the world and the breeze caressing the trees is profoundly beautiful. I encourage you to try meditative walks.

Step Five: Journaling: Capturing Inspiration

When I return home is when I do my journaling. I find that sparks of inspiration light up my mind when I walk, and the desire to capture these thoughts is strong. My most insightful journal entries happen after a walk. This is how I close my morning routine. Typically with a reflection of gratitude to close out my journaling session and prep me for the day. Beginning and ending my morning routine with gratitude truly sets you up for a beautiful day. 

Conclusion: Embracing the Power of a Morning Routine

Creating and maintaining a morning routine has profoundly transformed my life. It has allowed me to approach each day with intention, gratitude, and a sense of calm. By prioritizing self-care, mindfulness, and connection with nature, I have found a new level of fulfillment and happiness.

I encourage you to explore and craft your own morning routine that resonates with your unique needs and desires. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach—what matters most is that you move with intention and honor the life you have created for yourself. Start small, be consistent, and allow your routine to evolve as you grow.

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