My Intentional Morning
My Intentional Morning
I am extremely committed to my morning self-care routine. Don’t get me wrong, my nighttime regimen helps me to relax, unwind, and release the stresses of the day; but what I do with the start of my day is what sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s my time to focus my intentions and to prepare for the day ahead.
I’m not a person who eagerly jumps out of bed without an alarm clock in the morning. In fact, I don’t care for waking up early, but I’ve found that I’m more focused and calm, in the hours of the day before the sun rises. There’s something special about the quiet of the morning when it feels like you’re the only person awake… that’s empowering.
Here’s how I make the most of my mornings, and you can too!
Phone-Free Zone
It’s easy to grab your smartphone and start mindlessly scrolling through social media immediately after waking up. But I recently realized that when I do, I allow the energy of others to affect my day before it begins. This can be good or bad, depending on what has filled your feed overnight. I’m no longer willing to take the chance. The same goes for work/business related emails and communications. Checking into ‘work’ before I’m mentally ready can lead to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
There is very little benefit to checking in with your phone before you check in with yourself in the morning. Get centered before you take on the world and watch your overall demeanor improve.
Get centered before you take on the world and watch your overall demeanor improve. Click To TweetScent Stimulation
We often reserve scent stimulation for special occasions and long hot bath soaks, but fragrance can be sacred and calming. The mood enhancing benefits of certain scents is powerful and should be a part of your morning routine. Whether you prefer burning incense, or an essential oil diffuser, grab your favorites and give yourself (and your mood) a boost every day.
Soul Food
When mornings are rushed, a hot healthy breakfast often goes out the window and it turns into grab and go. As you move towards being more intentional with your mornings, let’s change that. Set aside time to actually sit, to take in the tastes and flavors, and to enjoy the moment.
Think about foods that excite you in the morning… whether it’s a favored coffee or tea, oatmeal, in-season fruit, or a green smoothie. Whatever your preference is, make it a daily practice. Really savor these moments – buy the best ingredients you can, place fresh flowers in your favorite breakfast spot, and purchase a few cute mugs or bowls to personalize your experience… remembering that sometimes joy starts with the smallest details
Create Intention
Sometimes when you wake up, your mind is already engaged to the point that it feels like your thoughts have thoughts! You can avoid carrying chaotic energy into your day with journaling. Journaling is an amazing way to get ideas, concerns, and your things-to-do, out of your head. Early morning journaling doesn’t require a lot of… sometimes you need a quick mental release to determine what you need to accomplish, how you want to feel and what you plan to experience for the day – before the hustle and bustle begins.
A great way to set yourself on a path to an intentional morning is with my Intentional Morning Guide – Download Here. It’s simple enough and it helps me to focus and remind myself of what’s important and that I’m in control. It’s a compelling way to bring your intentions and visions into your daily experience. And you’ll have a tangible way to track how you were feeling each morning. You’ll find yourself reflecting on the previous days’ worksheets and being amazed at how many of your intentions are manifesting in your life!
When you set aside time to be grateful and intentional you become a magnet for beauty, joy and abundance in your life!
In less than 45 minutes, I’ve transformed uninterrupted quiet time into a morning ritual that feeds my soul and breathes life into my spirit. It’s time to reboot and recharge your mornings! Make self-care a priority in your morning routine and you’ll look forward to waking up each day!
When you set aside time to be grateful and intentional you become a magnet for beauty, joy and abundance in your life! Click To Tweet
Love the advice. I’m not much of a morning person at all, so this’ll definitely help me get through my morning smoothly.
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed this post… I’m not a morning person either, but I’ve learned to savor this time. It’s transformational!
Hey Tiffany! Thank you for reminding me about scents … I forgot how aroma therapy really helps my mood. Thanks for sharing these helpful tips to start my day off right.
You’re welcome, Toni!!! This is one that is often forgotten but can make a huge impact on mood and attitude in the morning!
Love what you said about being intentional! Love this post so much! Thanks for the inspiration, girl 💖
It’s so important to be intentional with our time and setting the tone for our days!
Unstoppable info here. Thanks for this post. Cheers!
Thank you! I’m so excited that you found value in this post!
The first tip got me! I have been trying to stay away from social media in the mornings because it’s so draining sometimes. It definitely sets the mood. I always write right before we open the doors at work, but I definitely need to do it in a more relaxed and not so rushed environment. And yes, SCENTS! Always so relaxing. I never have time for breakfast. That’s another thing I’m rushing to scarf down at work in the morning. Smh. I have been wanting to do better for so long. This was the push I needed! Thanks girl! And I loved the email format for today. Weird thing to notice lol but it stands out to me.
Destiny – this was probably the step that was the hardest for me initially. But once you make it a habit… it’s so freeing. So happy you enjoyed this post!
Intentional morning routines are necessary for growth (well for me), I’m currently trying not to touch my phone in the morning, as it can affect the way you start your morning. I haven’t tried scent stimulation so I’ll be giving that a try, I’m on the look out for something with a lavender scent.
Freda – lavendar is so soothing… but be careful, it may keep you in a relaxed state. Citrus and light floral scents are amazing for increasing your energy and boosting your mood. Let me know how it goes!
Interesting take on starting out your morning. I am a morning person and do check my phone and take care of immediate things quickly. After that it is starting my day. After about three hours I take my break with a cup of hot chocolate and relax.
Candy – the beauty about creating an intentional morning is that you do whatever works for you, as long as you’re able to set the tone for your day on the right note!
I agree mornings are so important. A lot of my best ideas seem to come to me in the 20 minutes or so while my mind is drifting out of sleep into waking up in the morning.
Caroline – I thought I was alone in this… I had to start keeping a little notebook on the nightstand because I often have the best ideas before I’ve even rolled out of bed in the morning!
This is such a nice read, it’s easy to forget how important mornings are. I love getting up an hour early in the summer and I find myself more refreshed and energised for work. Unfortunately once the dark mornings set in this routine goes out the window and I get up 10 minutes before I have to leave the house…..
I’m so pleased that you enjoyed this post, Sophie. I agree… I’m most challenged in my morning routine during the fall and winter months – when it’s pitch dark and a little chilly and all I want to do is stay in place.
These are such great tips. I definitely need to allow myself more time for me time in the mornings!
Sondra xx
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I have definitely noticed the difference in my morning routine when I don’t start my morning looking or using my phone. Sticking with my morning routine-breakfast, journaling, and following the my intentions (I set the previous day) helps me stay in good spirits and productive. I do want to try scent stimulation, I have been eyeing diffusers for a while now.
I’m a believer of a good breakfast it’s my way to starting a good day. I do the same for my children as well. Thanks so much for these reminders.
These are great tips! I’m not a morning person at all, but I have been thinking its time to change my routine. These ideas will help a lot!
I agree with you. I love having a scent and food to lift my soul will make mornings worth waking up to. I also agree that checking out the smartphone does take away from your energy.
I can totally relate to this. Mornings are my favorite part of the day and I like waking up before others do. I like the peace and quiet it brings.
I like the tip not to check my phone with my morning coffee ritual. I should do this, sometimes my days are ruined even before I have finished my cup of coffee, because of this habit. I tend to be a rushed person in the moment, this is a good reminder to slow down. Thank you
This is such a great way to start the day. I definitely try to not reach for my phone the moment I wake up. It helps me just be in the moment and enjoy the peace.
Loved all but especially the phone free zone. Very helpful for me.
I totally agree about not looking at your phone as soon as you wake up. Not only can it affect your mood if you read something negative like you said, but it can suck you in and waste your time! I don’t jump out of bed in the morning either, but I’m most motivated in the mornings, once I wake up. So if I lay in bed on my phone, I waste time that I could be cleaning. I also have a baby, so that’s not really a possibility anyway haha!