I changed my morning routine this summer to put me first and foremost. I schedule no podcast interviews before noon. The morning is mine. I wake up; meditate; write; do a quick scan primarily on Substack; walk 1-1.5 hours. No cell phone, no music. I use the time to practice presence. Clearing part of my morning to make myself the priority before anything else happens, has been game changing.
Just came back from my walk and I’m reading non fiction and taking notes, which surely constitutes writing. Dedicated time is difficult because my cat is intrusive and insistent that i tend her first and foremost. But the routine remains. Thank you for expanding on the theme. My mind definitely wanders and it’s a point of pride that I carry no device on my walk. That distraction can wait. Here’s to “my time” and the benefits it produces throughout the day!!
I’ve always loved morning routines because I like easing into my day on my terms. When I was working I set the alarm for 4:30am and ran 5k every morning, came home for a swim (living in Florida made morning swims easy all year round) and then got ready to be work by 6:45.
Now retired, I live on a small ranch so my morning routines, which I love, revolves around tending my animals. I run my dogs for 30 minutes before feeding the other animals. I’ve cut a network of trails on the ranch so I can walk as they careen through the brush looking for lizards and rabbits. Then it’s time to feed/water the others and do a bit of cleaning. Being with them in the morning sunshine and seeing their happiness is wonderful for the spirit. Then it’s time for coffee and a sit down to plan my day. With pencil and paper. Trip into town? Rebuild the coop? Spread new bedding? Crossing them off as they’re completed is a great sense of accomplishment.
I changed my morning routine this summer to put me first and foremost. I schedule no podcast interviews before noon. The morning is mine. I wake up; meditate; write; do a quick scan primarily on Substack; walk 1-1.5 hours. No cell phone, no music. I use the time to practice presence. Clearing part of my morning to make myself the priority before anything else happens, has been game changing.
Just came back from my walk and I’m reading non fiction and taking notes, which surely constitutes writing. Dedicated time is difficult because my cat is intrusive and insistent that i tend her first and foremost. But the routine remains. Thank you for expanding on the theme. My mind definitely wanders and it’s a point of pride that I carry no device on my walk. That distraction can wait. Here’s to “my time” and the benefits it produces throughout the day!!
I’ve always loved morning routines because I like easing into my day on my terms. When I was working I set the alarm for 4:30am and ran 5k every morning, came home for a swim (living in Florida made morning swims easy all year round) and then got ready to be work by 6:45.
Now retired, I live on a small ranch so my morning routines, which I love, revolves around tending my animals. I run my dogs for 30 minutes before feeding the other animals. I’ve cut a network of trails on the ranch so I can walk as they careen through the brush looking for lizards and rabbits. Then it’s time to feed/water the others and do a bit of cleaning. Being with them in the morning sunshine and seeing their happiness is wonderful for the spirit. Then it’s time for coffee and a sit down to plan my day. With pencil and paper. Trip into town? Rebuild the coop? Spread new bedding? Crossing them off as they’re completed is a great sense of accomplishment.
Country life is good for the body and soul.
My morning routine starts the night before with my bedtime routine getting set up for the next day.