Morning Routine: 10 Teeny Tiny Things You can do to Start One

A meaningful morning routine can make all the difference in how you move through your day, the way you treat other people and in how you feel. My morning routine has been on the fritz this summer. I haven’t been as consistent or engaged as I usually am.

When I stopped meditating every morning, nothing bad happened. When I stopped writing 3 pages every single morning, I didn’t notice a big change at first. Slowly though, I noticed.

Just like when I noticed the benefits of practicing a morning routine consistently over time, I noticed the negatives over time too.

Without a consistent morning routine …

• I’m not as focused throughout the day.
• I feel more sluggish when I wake up.
• It feels like something is missing.
• I’m less present.
• My creative ideas don’t flow as well.

While none of these negatives are life shattering, it’s clear that when I am practicing my morning routine, I am more focused, energized, creative and loving. Those things are important to me so it’s time to get back on track.

Whether you are starting a new morning routine or getting back on track with me, you don’t have to overhaul your morning or your life to get started.

10 teeny tiny things you can do to get started

1. Stop saying you aren’t a morning person.
It’s a great excuse but it doesn’t matter. Start your morning routine whenever your morning starts, even if it’s in the afternoon.

2. Be grateful.
Wake up and write down three things you are grateful for. If you can’t think of anything, remember what made you smile yesterday, the first person you thought of when you woke up, or the last thing that made you laugh.

3. Stretch in bed.
Wiggle your toes. Roll your hips from side to side. Reach your fingers to the ceiling. Stretch your lungs too and take a few deep breaths.

4. Hide your phone.
Do whatever it takes to be digital free until you’ve enjoyed your morning routine. Eventually you may want to use a meditation app or other tool on your phone during your morning routine, but start without it so you aren’t tempted to check email, news, or other apps.

5. Make a list of morning routine activities.
Eliminate the painful process of making decisions when you first wake up. Instead, make a list of what you’d like to include in your morning routine and choose two or three to start with.



6. Create a morning not to-do list.
You may have more clarity on how you want to spend your morning minutes after clearly identifying what you don’t want to do. Make a list of the things that don’t add value to your mornings. Here are a few things you may want to include on your not to-do list.

7. Put pen and paper nearby.
Journaling is a great way to leave your worries on paper, work through an issue or release some of the excess thoughts clouding your mind.

8. Create accountability.
Challenge a friend to 10 days of practicing a morning routine. Agree to text each other a simple, “I did it” after your practice.

9. Turn on the music.
Quiet background music can help to keep you engaged and present in your morning routine. Create a 5 minute playlist and practice your morning routine for as long as the music lasts for the first week. Add a minute or two to your playlist and routine each week.

10. Show up.
Even if you don’t do anything during your morning routine, show up for it every morning for a week. Dedicate five minutes to getting on your yoga mat, sitting at your kitchen table, on the floor next to your bed, or wherever you’d like to be. Just show up.

Sometimes my morning routine is hours of writing, walking, yoga, and meditation but tomorrow I’ll just take a teeny tiny step and write for five minutes. Where will you start?

Source