The other day a friend shared a video in a Facebook group in which she showed us her “Morning Basket” and what it contained. I immediately fell in love with the idea and decided to create my own.

Earlier today I went to one of my favorite places – Staples (anyone else have an office supplies fetish?) – to buy a basket. I also needed some pens. Somehow I spent almost $75. Oops.

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The Contents of My Morning Basket

• I just spent the past half hour putting together my Morning Basket. I started with my Happy Planner. I have to admit that I have not been using it much lately but I hope by having in my basket I’ll get back to it.
• Next, I included three binders. One contains Crystal Paine’s Make Over Your Evenings course that I am currently working through. Another contains a homemaking course from Brocante Home. And the third is the Modern Day Icon course by Tonya Leigh. My plan is to do a little work in at least one of them each morning.
• I’ve been reading through my Grandma’s Bible which she left me so I tucked that into the basket.
• I love to color so my adult coloring book, Enchanting English Garden, is in there. I’m in the market for some new, high quality colored pencils to go with it. Any suggestions?
• I used to buy and read magazines all the time. I’ve let all my subscriptions lapse but I have a number of lovely magazines I have picked up here and there but haven’t fully enjoyed. I tucked one in the basket for light reading.
• Years ago I scored a complete set of Harvard Classics at a library book sale. I’ve read little snippets here and there but I’d like to read through the whole set. Yeah, huge goal! I put the first one of the set in my basket. If you’re interested, you can now download the entire 51-volume set as e-books for free. Here is the link.
• I picked up Sarah Ban Breathnach’s book, Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self, at a recent library sale. I’ve read a couple of her other books and enjoyed them. I like the fact that her books are written in short sections which makes them perfect for daily readings.
• I have a habit of writing notes, lists and reminders on index cards or post-it notes. I put a packet of each, plus a small coupon file to corral them in the basket.
• A journal
• My clipboard where I keep my daily to-do list
• A nail care kit and hand lotion
• My “morning pages” notebook:

The Artist’s Way 

Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way, recommends “morning pages”, something I have done off and on. Okay, more “off” than “on” but I intend to get back to it. What are “morning pages”? Here you go:

“Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing,
done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*–
they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about
anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes
only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and
synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put
three pages of anything on the page…and then do three more pages tomorrow.”

 

 

• Along with the other items in my basket, I’m including an index card listing the steps in Hal Elrod’s book, The Miracle Morning.

I first read about this on Brocante Home (the post is no longer there, or at least I can’t find it). The book is in my Amazon wishlist and I am eager to read it. The author advocates the development of a six-step morning routine including silence, affirmations, visualization, scribing, reading and exercise. Ideally one would spend 10 minutes on each, thereby creating a one-hour morning routine.

And if you don’t have time for that? How about a 6-minute version?

Minute one – silence

Minute two – affirmations

Minute three – visualization

Minute four – scribing

Minute five – reading

Minute six – exercise

 

So there you have it. The current contents of my Morning Basket. The idea is that instead of mindlessly scrolling through Facebook on my phone while drinking my morning tea, I’ll use the basket to inspire me and get the creative juices flowing. I will light a candle, turn on some soft music, then work on various things in my basket while enjoying my Earl Grey tea. I am pretty excited about this and very hopeful that my Morning Basket will help me start the day with purpose, learning, and creativity.

What do you think of this idea? Have you ever heard of a Morning Basket before? Do you have one? What would you include in yours? Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Make Over Your Mornings E-Course

If your mornings are not what you’d like them to be…if you feel like you are spinning your wheels or things are simply chaotic…if you know your mornings could be calmer and more productive…I highly recommend Crystal Paine’s e-course, Make Over Your Mornings. I bought it several months ago and learned a lot my first time through it. I’m now ready to give it another once over. That’s the nice thing about it. Once you purchase it, you can do the course as many times as you desire. I printed out the accompanying PDF workbook and put it in a three ring binder for handy access.

I wrote about creating a morning routine several months ago. I’ve made some progress. For instance, I am now getting on the treadmill first thing in the morning. Yes, BEFORE tea! I listen to a podcast or watch a video while walking which helps the time go by more pleasantly.

 

And check out Crystal Paine’s brand new course!