create an uplifting morning routine

Must be a good Evening Routine.

I think it is impossible to attempt this feat without preparations the night before. Little things like laying out clothing, having a meal plan, getting meal prep done as much as possible (especially if crockpotting), ironing clothes, and having family clothes all ready to go, permission slips for school and such signed, bills paid and ready to go….ALL at night….so there is no time wasters in the morning!

For a while in the spring of 2008, I had my own little morning ritual for a smooth start to my day. I’d get up and make myself a cup of tea and some oatmeal, go out on the porch in the sun and write my morning pages, a writing exercise from “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron. It really helped to open me up, both as a writer and as a person. It was a very spiritual experience.

I think doing something like that again, maybe with a few simple yoga poses thrown in there, would really make it easier for me to get into the kind of mindset I want to live in daily. Taking time to stop and ponder, and attune myself with my own soul first thing in the morning helps me to have a much more peaceful and mindful day. The morning pages also help to put me in a writing mindset, so I’m more mindful and receptive to little moments of inspiration when they come.

I am a morning person, and it is high time I create a nice morning routine for myself. I remember growing up visiting my Grandparents who had their own routine, get up, make a fire, get dressed, sit and have a healthy breakfast and coffee, read some scripture and pray before going out.

Now that I have space I can “escape” to in the morning, I am thinking I can cozy up in my corner for a set scheduled amount of time, pray about and plan my day with a nice cup of Chai in hand!

I might need to wake up a little earlier to do this….

i have been pretty alright at starting this goal! during the week i wake up around 545 and i put on my robe, walk to the kitche, and make a nice hot bowl of oatmeal with a coffee. then i sit and eat it while i watch tv till about 615. its beautiful. but it could be improved. i think when i wake up, i should make my bed and pick out clothes or something too. i need to work on cutting out the morning stress of getting ready somehow…

so, here’s my new list:
1. go to sleep by 1030
2. wake up by 545
3. put on robe/contacts, make bed, pick out clothes
4. make a delicious, healthy breakfast and relax for a few (optional – pack a lunch)
5. shower
6. makeup
7. hair
8. dress
9. leave!

maybe if those goes well, i can eventually wake up a bit earlier and add more to my morning… like some morning chores (unload dishes, water plants, etc.). just mebby.

After a while a get stuck in a routine that is a little less than uplifting.

I’m moving tomorrow so once i get settled I’m going to work on this again.

i can easily imagine my uplifting morning routine, but its really difficult to implement when you have to be somewhere at 8am. i just need to wake up earlier and give myself time to relax. and then when im getting ready, i need to not panic and busy myself with looking perfect. its a waste of energy.

ideally, i would…
wake up early after a nice night of sleep
open my shades and see a cloudy sky
take a couple of my plants to the sink to be watered
make some tea and oatmeal
read and journal for about 15-20 minutes
then start my beautiful day

I know how I work, so if I’m going to stick with it, I’ve got to start out simple. Here’s how it’s going to go:

1. I wake up and let Marley outside.
2. I make a cup of tea.
3. While the tea is cooling, I water my plants (another goal I’m working on) and stretch, meditate or do some simple yoga for a few minutes.
4. I drink my tea and list 5 things I’m grateful for in my journal. (another goal.)

I’m moving over the next week. Right now my house/life just feels so cluttered. I feel like I need to get things in order before I can focus on creating some sort of a morning routine. I’m going to allow myself a couple weeks to move and get everything settled and organized then I’m going to get to work creating a morning ritual for myself.