MORNING ROUTINE | SELF-CARE FOR CREATIVES

By now, you’ve heard about the many benefits of creating a morning routine. The morning routine I’ve created for myself has truly enhanced my daily experience, making waking up early more and more pleasing. It gives my day a sense of structure and helps me to be more intentional about how I want to feel. Here’s the thing though, creating a morning routine doesn’t have to be complicated!

Some of us have the luxury of leisurely mornings, and some of us are lucky if we’re able to finish our coffee before rushing into a hectic commute. I understand that all of our days are different, so I’ve shared my morning routine in steps that only require ten minutes of your time. If taking on this entire routine seems like too much, then I encourage you to simply pick one or two steps to practice and build from there. The simpler your morning routine is, the more likely you are to stick to it and reap the benefits.

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1. Wake with Gratitude

So simple, but so powerful. The moment you wake up, choose to fill your heart with gratitude. Say “thank you” (silently or out loud) before you get out of bed. I like to place my hands over my heart when I do this. Simply saying “thank you” puts you in positive space for the day. *Bonus tip: Smile while you do this step. 🙂

2. Make Your Bed

At the risk of sounding like a parent, I’m going to go ahead and encourage you to make your bed every morning. Making your bed will give you a sense of control over your entire day! You had the time to make your bed, so you must be on top of things. It sounds silly, but it works! Don’t worry about being meticulous, just do your best and get that bed made before moving on to the next step.

3. Find the Light

While you may not wake up with the sunrise, it’s still very beneficial to allow sunlight into your room as soon as possible after you wake. This will send signals to your brain that it’s time to start shaking off that sleepy feeling. Make letting the light in a part of your morning routine. Open your curtains and take a breath as the sun touches your face.

4. Choose a Scent

Choose a fragrance to pair with your morning routine. It could be lighting an incense, sage smudge,  or a stick of palo santo. Scents have a way of creating connections in our brains in a spectacular way. Our brains are wired to react to smells.  Fill your room with the scent of your choice to help signal that it’s time to wake up and get the day started.

Another option is to make a quick room spray with essential oil and filtered water. Get yourself an amber spray bottle, fill it with purified water, and add a few drops of high-quality essential oil (about 8-10 drops should do the trick). Peppermint and orange are great options for a refreshing morning aroma.

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5. Choose a Beverage

The next step in my morning routine is to choose a beverage. Chances are this is already part of your morning. Some of us reach for coffee, while others may opt for tea or warm water with lemon.

The key here is to enjoy your beverage with mindfulness. Once your cup is filled, hold it in both hands, and take a deep breath. Then take your first sip and allow yourself to be fully present, if only for that first sip. Bringing intention and presence to your morning beverage elevates it into a more meaningful part of your day.

6. Choose a mantra

The thing I do as a part of my morning routine is to choose a mantra for the day. This step is very powerful in helping you to establish how you want your day to feel. You can repeat your mantra throughout the day when you need a little reminder. Some examples are:

Today is my lucky day.

Everything is working in my favor today.

All is well.

Open up a fresh page in your journal and write your mantra. You can also write your mantra on your bathroom mirror with a whiteboard marker so that you can see it every day.  If you’re not a visual person, saying the mantra to yourself is just fine. It’s also totally acceptable to simply repeat your mantra to yourself while brushing your teeth. All is well.

7. Make a Morning Soundtrack

All my music lovers out there might already know that rising to music is one of the easiest ways to set the tone for your day. Choose songs that are upbeat and can ease you into the day is a positive way. I listen to my soundtrack every morning, and sometimes I’ll continue listening in the car during my commute.

You can also look for pre-made playlists. Spotify (or whatever music service you use) has some great morning themed playlists to choose from. If a playlist seems like too much work, simply choose one song to be your theme song for the morning. Might I suggest, “Here Comes the Sun,” by The Beatles?

… and that’s it! With just a few easy steps, you’re on your way to a more meaningful morning. Let’s recap.

1. Awake with gratitude
2. Make your bed
3. Find the light
4. Choose a scent
5. Enjoy a beverage mindfully 
6. Choose your Mantra for the day
7. Listen to your morning soundtrack

I’d love to hear how this 10-minute morning routine works for you. Leave a comment and let me know!

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