An acquaintance 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.
So 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 spent about half an 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:
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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Update: I originally wrote this post in 2016. My morning routine and the contents of my “Morning Basket” have changed quite a bit over the years. Would you be interested in an updated version? Let me know in the comments or feel free to email me.
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!
I’ve never heard of a morning basket before, but think it’s a great idea. Putting one together would be tricky for me though, since my morning/getting up routine consists of things I can’t really put in a basket. Plus what I do depends on when it is I’m getting up.
The things that are consistent:
*Put the kettle on for tea.
*While the kettle boils, check on the rodent gang, saying “hi” to each of them, making sure they all have food and water, and nobody is sick or hurt for any reason.
*Make my cup of tea, and sit down to drink it.
It depends when it is, how long I have before I “have to” get something done, and how I’m feeling, to what I do while I’m drinking my tea. More often than not, I’ll have “breakfast” while I drink my tea.
After that, it starts to depend on what time of day it is, what else I need to do, and whether I’m up because I just woke up, or because I have to get ready for something that’s happening at a spacific time.
We must have our tea, right? 🙂
Absolutely! 😉
Haha! We’ve been thinking alike! I saw the video about the morning basket. I already had my morning “stack” that I would get out every morning. It mainly included two “daily devotional” books, a nonfiction book, and my journal. After seeing the video on Facebook, I was inspired to create a basket. I found an old basket that everything fit into and can now “grab and go” in the morning. I also had a discussion with my husband about what a co-worker once called “playing office” but you more accurately call “office supplies fetish.” I just learned I earned a $20 gift certificate from our local office supplies store and I was torn between using it for something I “need” and buying something I “want.” I’m now leaning towards the “want” to add something fun to my basket. And thanks for the reminder about Brocante Home – I haven’t read her blog in years and need o revisit it.
Wasn’t that video inspiring? I love all of her posts. 🙂 And I’m glad to have reminded you of Brocante Home. She has done a major site overhaul recently. Lots of great stuff.
I saw the video too wasn’t it great. She is so inspiring. Just love her posts
Me, too. 🙂
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment.
Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service?
Appreciate it!
Oh, dear. That must be annoying. I don’t know off the top of my head how to fix it on my end but I’ll do some checking and see what I can do.
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Oh my goodness, yes, a morning basket! I had not heard of one before. It is a simple, elegant solution to all my little piles of in-process personal work. I sent this post to three other people, who I think would benefit from this idea too. Brilliant—thank you for sharing!
This post was written over seven years ago, so I’m not sure if this is still possible, but in response to your update question, I would love to hear all about your current morning basket.
Love and blessings to you! Thank you for your encouraging, uplifting work! ????
Those question marks at the end of my comment were created by the heart emoji I added at the end. Sorry.
Ha – no problem.
I’m so happy that you liked this idea. I really do need to do an updated version. I’ll put it on my blog to-do list. And thank you so much for sharing the post with friends!
I am also intrigued and would love to hear your updated use of your Morning Basket.
I’ll try to do an updated post after the first of the year. 🙂
Hi Dee.. it’s been something like 7 years since this post. However, I am interested to know if you are still keeping with the morning basket? It is something I am definitely going to give a go… Starting tomm morning. Thank you so much for the inspiration. I am super excited.. I would love to know where I can find more of your wonderful inspirations if your still at it.
Seven years! My, how time flies. Yes, I still have a morning basket. It has changed a bit as my morning routine has evolved. But the overall concept has been maintained. I’m planning to evaluate my morning ritual and fine tune it a bit for 2024. I really do need to do an updated version of this post.
This is a fantastic idea! I look forward to your update!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Merry Christmas!
I have not heard of a morning basket! I love the idea of it, I would probably only be able to use it Saturday, Sunday & Monday as I start work at 6:30 and work 10 hours. So then I got to thinking what about a night basket that I could use for the next days prep and have a brain dump journal, a color book for relaxing, and a lot of other of the same things that are in the morning basket.
A night basket is a great way to personalize it for your life. I actually use mine at both ends of the day.
The items in your morning basket sound a lot like the things I keep on a 3-tier cart next to my chair. Planner, current two books I’m reading, Proofread Anywhere course materials, word search book, Bible and journal, clipboard of paperwork to do, etc. Since my grandbaby comes early in the morning to stay while his momma works, it is nap time when I work on things. I like the idea of having everything together.
Isn’t it handy to have it all organized and at hand? Enjoy that grandbaby!
I would love an update on your morning basket. This sounds like. A goal for the new year.
I’m adding it to my blog to-do list. 🙂
Wow this is a great idea! I have a few things on my desk that sometimes get moved around. I love this idea! I’m totally going to do it starting now. Would love to hear how yours has evolved!
Thanks for the morning basket ideas. I especially liked the use of index cards as I usually make notes on my journaling page and then have to spend time weeks later looking for the right page. Also, wanted to say Thank you for the name of author Fiona Ferris. I ordered one book as I cannot find them on book shelves in Edmonton Canada. Enjoyed the book. So thanks again.
I’m happy you enjoyed the post and I’m glad you enjoyed Fiona’s book. I’ve got several and they are all good reads.
Oh how I love this! I also love a clipboard for my daily tasks and I LOVE Happy Planner! Started with a basket but it is too small! And a beautiful journal! I will now search for the perfect basket to put my items in! I also bought a lap desk because I like to write on a hard service! Thanks so much for this idea!
I’m so happy this resonated with you. I hope you find just the right basket.
Hello! I would be happy to read your updated morning basket post. I’m struggling with life organization, I mean not just with how to organiz my home, but also with how to accomplish all the plans I have in my mind. This post was really inspiring.
I’m right there with you. I have so many things I’d love to accomplish but I’m struggling to do so. I need a better system. 🙂
I love your basket idea. I’m always wanting to organize something but really don’t know how. I love getting suggestions from people that know what they’re doing. I’m big on writing a lot of things on a notebook but on different pages and can’t ever find what I need. I have some health problems and have a lot of doctors appointments I write them on scrap papers then lose them I need some help please.
It sounds like you prefer paper organizing over digital; is that right? I lean that direction myself. Do you have a wall or desk calendar? That’s what I would suggest for doctor appointments and such. The key is getting into the habit of putting them on the calendar right away and then checking it each day. Since you are currently writing them on scraps of paper, maybe you could get one of those small pads of sticky notes (I have some that are about 1 1/2 inch square. You could write the appointment info on one and just stick it on the calendar.
As for your notebook system, I suggest dedicating a page (or half a page if that’s all you need) per day. Write the date on it and then keep all your notes for the day on that page. Sure, you may have to thumb back through to find something but at least it’s in daily order and you know everything is at least in that one notebook.
Any chance that you have ADHD? I have several family members with it and they struggle with organization. I’ve been trying to learn techniques that are helpful for those with that diagnosis so I can understand and help them better. I don’t have that issue so organization tips that work for me might not be helpful for someone with ADHD. Let me know if those ideas help.
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