A beautiful day starts with an intentional morning ritual. This is something I’ve been working on for quite awhile. My morning ritual isn’t perfect yet but I’m making progress.
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Dee’s Morning Ritual
This is what my morning looks like when all goes well…which is about once a week. But hey, you’ve got to start somewhere.
- Set daily intention before getting out of bed
I take a few minutes while still lying in bed to think about my day. I consider the specific challenges ahead and then decide on my focus for the day. I think about how I want to feel as I go about my day.
- Turn back the bed covers
I make the bed every day but I let it air first. I turn the covers back, move the pillows and lightly spray the sheets with my homemade lavender linen spray.
- Go downstairs, weigh myself and drink a glass of lemon water
I haven’t been drinking enough water lately so I’m making an effort to include more in my daily routine. I know some recommend only weighing once a week but I feel like I get a better sense of what affects my weight if I monitor it daily.
- Take my hot tea to the library
My sweet husband makes my tea for me every morning and puts it in an insulated Klean Kanteen so it stays hot. I take it and one of my china cups and saucers to the library, get comfy in my chair and finish the rest of my morning ritual.
- Morning Pages/Journal
This is something I have finally managed to make a habit. I decided I might someday wish I had a record of my thoughts during this pandemic and having that impetus has been what I needed. The idea of morning pages comes from Julia Cameron’s book, “The Artist’s Way“. It’s meant to be three handwritten pages of stream of consciousness. I’m using a small booklet – 5×8 inches – for this and am into my second one. I don’t always write three pages. I just write what I feel I need to express.
- Meditate
I’ve been rather hit-or-miss with this but I find when I meditate consistently, my days go better. I’ve set up a little meditation area in my library with a cushion, candle, salt lamp, incense and my sandalwood mala beads.
- Read
I’m trying not to get sucked into Facebook during my morning routine but to spend that time reading something more worthwhile. At the beginning of the year I created a Personal Syllabus. It includes four books that I read from on a daily basis:
Simple Abundance: 365 Days to a Balanced and Joyful Life by Sarah Ban Breathnach
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
The fourth was to be Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman but quite frankly, after a couple of months I decided I was done with ol’ Walt for awhile. I’m currently reading One Hundred and One Famous Poems. Rather than limit myself to a particular book of poetry, though, I’m going to explore a greater variety over the remainder of the year. If you have a favorite poet to recommend please leave me a comment.
- Listen to a podcast or watch something inspiring on YouTube
Right now I’m taking an intensive personal development course which includes a short audio lesson each morning. I enjoy listening to one of my favorite podcasts or watching something inspirational on YouTube. Here are a few favorites:
Sixty and Me – I’m not sixty yet but I still find a lot of the content relatable.
Quintessence – Beautiful homes inspire me.
Ivy Kitchen – Her aesthetic is so different from my own and yet I find her videos very calming.
At Home With Nikki – I’m always inspired to create order after watching Nikki.
The Daily Connoisseur – Jennifer makes homemaking look beautiful and classy.
Diane in Denmark – Diane makes The FlyLady routines effortless and fun.
Amy Landino – When I need a kick in the pants to get busy and be productive, Amy is my go-to.
Simple Happy Zen – Minimalism isn’t generally my thing personally but Vera’s approach is different than most. She addresses the topic in a more holistic sense in terms of lifestyle rather than simply getting rid of everything in one’s house. Her gentle spirit is a pleasant way to begin the day.
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And that’s my ideal morning ritual. Well, for now. There are other things I’d like to include:
- Yoga – sun salutations in particular
- 20 minutes on the treadmill
Do you have a morning routine or ritual? I’d love to hear about it.
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Hey, once a week is a great start… You’ll get there; it takes time to establish a routine. Not that I’m an expert, since I don’t do well with them. But just because one doesn’t work for me, doesn’t mean I don’t know how one would go about getting one. Anyway… Your morning routine sounds great!
Thanks! I don’t expect perfection but I do feel better about my day if I’ve had a decent morning ritual time to start out.
I’ve started doing morning pages too! I usually write my dreams down but I’ve started free writing more. With everything going on, I find I have a lot more feelings and it feels great to get it all out of my head.
I find that on occasion it keeps me from telling someone what I really think – ha!
Love this post. My current morning routine is pretty much non-existent, but I want to change that. Also wanted to let you know that you have broken links. The links to morning and evening makeover courses are returning a page not found error.
Thank you so much! I’ll get those fixed. I really appreciate you telling me.
Hi Dee. Just found your blog and followed you on IG. Thanks for the follow back (Happyhomemaker62) My morning ritual is to start the day by taking our pup out to potty first, feeding the pup, drinking 32 ozs. of warm lemon water, making the bed, washing my face and using my lotions, potions, serums and sunblock! lol, getting dressed and then eating some type of melon before I take our pup on her long morning walk. (I take a little break between the water and melon. lol)…After our walk I fix my breakfast (it’s the same EVERY day and I love it) of oatmeal with a chopped medjool date, 1/2 C of frozen wild blueberries, a little almond milk and chopped walnuts. Then it’s whatever’s on for the day. I do try to work in some desk time, I love my little desk area, and some reading, or listening to music while I putter about the house. I love to putter and I never sit still for long. I do love a good morning routine. ?
It sounds like a great routine! It’s nice to have you here. Look forward to getting acquainted on IG.
Hi… Thank you fir your input. I’ve just retired and my wholeufe has been turned upside down so your message has helped and I’m looking forward to changing my lifestyle/routines.
Karyn
Retirement can be very challenging at first. I’m glad this was helpful. Best wishes as you craft this new phase of life.