Morning Routine
When I ask other women how they’re doing, I repeatedly get the response that they are overwhelmed with work, caring for kids, aging family members, spouses, and basically busy with everyone else and losing themselves in it all.
Sound familiar?
I know I totally understand! I’ve been there and sometimes I fall off of my good routines and find myself going back to that dark place of overwhelm. But when I do, I am aware of it, and I know how to get back on the routines and am empowered because I know it will be worth it.
No better time to get in the habit of good routines than now! If even this overwhelms you, start with making just one good routine that will help you feel better about all of this. My favorite and probably most important routine is to have a morning routine!
You’re mind is best after rest and the most open first thing in the morning (unless you’re definitely not a morning person, then make yours a night routine).
This is a routine I do every single day. 99% of last year I began like this and it has helped me tremendously! It is a non-negotiable for me on my schedule and it is how I give my first and best to God every single day, who gives me breath for another day. Here’s what I do. Take what works and leave the rest. Modify it to work for you.
After I make MY little spot, my controlled corner, in my messy house the night before, I look forward to getting up the next day at 5:00am and fill my well first. Here’s how I do it step by step.
From my book, chapter #22, routine #2 (slightly modified):
Make a good quality coffee and let the aroma fill the room. (Recently I’ve been making a good cup of tea and lighting a coffee candle instead).
Turn on my ‘random twinkle’ white Christmas lights (or sit with fresh flowers or a plant in front of me).
Ask Alexa to play ‘spa music’ at a very low volume to set the mood.
Pour my drink into a super cute mug/cup.
Put something sweet on a little plate. It’s honestly usually chocolate. Really. Eating a little of our chocolate daily is part my routine since I wake up with a sweet tooth. Most often, it’s our dark chocolate covered Oreo.
Sit down with my Bible, devotional journal, gratitude journal, and a pen.
Read the Word. No particular order, I usually read 1-2 chapters per morning and go in order of the Bible.
Underline what stands out. Something new always stands out each time I read through the entire Bible.
Journal freely about it. Kind of like just writing a morning message to God.
Follow journal prompts in gratitude journal (See my other blog about “Journaling” on this - focus & gratitude).
Look over my schedule for the day (which was made the night before - see my blog “Evening Routine”) and get focused.
Notice, I don’t even look at my phone, or email, or anything else until all of the above is done. It makes a difference in my day when I start this way!
The “Lesson Learned” as stated in my book is that “I am a better person for everyone, when I make a little time for myself every morning.”
So try it! Fill your heart and mind or your well FIRST with the right things, before the world wakes up.
erin’s tip
Give yourself a few minutes in the morning so YOU can then be your best for everyone else. You don’t need permission. Start tomorrow morning. :)
