Throughout the years, I’ve come to learn how the way I start my day affects how the rest of my day goes. I didn’t realize how something such as immediately going to my phone first thing in the morning could impact my mood, cause me to get a later start to my day than planned, or even put off things I intended to get done.
Starting the day with a dopamine hit from our phones can flood our brains with instant gratification. This makes it harder to focus, reduces motivation for slower, more fulfilling tasks, and sets a reactive tone for the rest of the day. Coming to realize this has led me to years of creating a system that works for me.
Calling it a morning routine is ideal, but I find considering my a.m. tasks ‘rituals’–a set of actions, behaviors, or practices performed regularly–to be more fitting, less daunting and less strict as I do not always complete them in the same exact order daily, or for the same exact amount of time, because everyday looks different. However, I can assure to myself that as long as I make the time to practice the system of habits I’ve created before jumping straight into my daily responsibilities, then I can allow myself to move through the day with abundant clarity and ease.
I invite you to take time to reflect on how you spend your mornings and if/how it affects your overall day. What habits or tasks can you implement (or remove) to have a more intentional morning to set the foundation for your days?
[THE A.M. FLOW]
✦yoga✦
Yoga has been an integral part of my days for about three years now. Establishing a consistent yoga practice has deepened my connection with myself–spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically–which had come to be especially meaningful during a period of healing from a physical ailment. Depending on what I’m in the mood for, I would freestyle my flow, or follow a guided flow via YouTube (my personal favorites are from Black Yogi Nico Marie) or the Nike Training App. It’s been a while, but I’ve also found a joy for attending local in-person yoga classes as a way to connect with others and expand my practice beyond what I do at home.
Stepping on my mat is like a reset. It’s a chance for me to move with intention while focusing in on aspects such as breath work before my day begins. Other benefits I’ve discovered through yoga include:
Creating space for me to feel more energized, grounded, and clear-headed
Enhancing my mind-body-spirit connection
Boosts my overall mood
Incorporate other mindfulness practices such as breathwork and meditation to create space and presence within
A chance to track growth as I hone in on my skills through each flow
Over time, I have come to view yoga as not only movement, but as a conversation with myself. The stretch of my muscles, the flow of my breath, the embodied stillness between each asana reminds me that to be present is a choice. At the end of each practice, no matter the length, I step off my mat carrying that increased awareness into the rest of my day–open, clear, rooted.
✦skincare✦
Tending to my skin in the morning might be one of my favorite parts of my entire day. Like yoga, it’s a moment of stillness and an act of self-care. I keep my routine simple, yet intentional–cleansing, toning, treating, moisturizing, and always applying SPF, even if I’m staying indoors. Dedicating time to my skincare is a reminder that tending to myself, even in small ways, matters. It’s about showing up for myself in ways that nourish me and make me feel good.
✦journaling✦
Journaling has been an essential part of my life since childhood–my safe space for releasing unspoken words and feelings. When I didn’t know where else to turn, the page was always there to hold my thoughts without judgment. It continues to be a practice that grounds me, a tool for self-reflection, and a way to deepen my connection with self.
In the mornings, journaling helps set the tone for the day. For the most part, I freewrite–letting my thoughts spill onto the page without structure. Other times I’d utilize guided journals or prompts for expressing gratitude, reflecting, shadow work, or scripting the reality I want to create for myself. While writing allows me to clear my mind, it also sparks creativity, strengthens my intuition, and reminds me that my true inner voice is worth listening to.
I also find that romanticizing my writing time enhances the experience. The atmosphere and utilizing tools that feel right to me make all the difference–from using my go-to Moleskine notebook, a simple no. 2 pencil, and the Day by Day guided journal, to creating an inviting space by opening the curtains and windows (if the weather feels good), lighting an incense or candle, or sipping my favorite tea while I write.
Journaling is a practice that allows me to release, reflect, and realign before stepping into the day. Regardless of what’s ahead, putting pencil to paper reminds me that I always have a place to return to, a moment of stillness before the world rushes in.
✦sunlight and nature’s embrace✦
Another one of the simplest, yet grounding parts of my morning is sitting by the window as the sun spills in, allowing it to warm my skin and softly awaken me. There’s something about such a quiet, mundane moment like this I just love and appreciate. I haven’t spent much time outside this Winter, but come Spring and Summertime I will definitely be back to fully basking in my favorite nature spots, taking longer walks, and soaking up the sun and fresh air.
There’s a different kind of clarity that comes with stepping outside, a reset that only nature herself can provide.
✦mindful consumption✦
I do my best to be intentional about what I consume in the mornings both physically and mentally. Whether it’s reading a few pages of a book, listening to a podcast or watching a Youtube video that inspires or educates me, I like to start my day with something that feeds my mind.
I tend to eat breakfast later in the morning while still prioritizing hydration–whether it’s water, tea, or something warm to ease into the day. Music often plays a role in shaping my mornings, too. It’ll usually be something soft and soothing, or upbeat depending on what I’m in the mood for.
It’s all about choosing what aligns with how I want to feel and being mindful of what I let in, knowing it influences the rest of my day.
✦
So yeah, that’s pretty much my a.m. flow. It’s taken me years to create a morning routine that truly works for me, and even now, it’s not set and stone. I don’t follow a strict order every day and when I can, I allow my mornings to shift based on what I need and where I am in life. Some habits stay, some fade, and new ones come into play when it’s their time to.
But see, that’s the beauty of it–I now realize that routine isn’t about rigidity, but about creating a foundation that supports your wellbeing. The best routines aren’t the ones we force ourselves into, but the ones that naturally align with who we are constantly becoming.
Give yourself the space to experiment, to evolve, and to trust that what you need will always find its way into your mornings.
♡ thank you so much for reading ♡
✦tools/resources✦
writing essentials:
pinterest.com for guided prompts (I usually write “_ journal prompt” depending on the theme of what I want to write)
moleskine notebook – my go-to journal
my essential youtube channels and podcasts:
a few guided yoga practices i follow:
✦more from Lashyra✦
[Disclaimer]
♡ Anything I write is based upon my perspective/life/experiences, etc. With this newsletter, I ask that you leave judgment and close-mindedness elsewhere. Take and ponder on what resonates, simply leave what doesn’t.♡
Very interesting read, I definitely want to take a look at my morning routine and make it feel more comfortable and peaceful for me