My Responsive Summer Morning Routine
I used to get down on myself because I didn’t have a structured, repetitive, consistent morning routine. This summer I’m living into my morning routine in a more responsive and intentional way.
Last month, I shared about creating a vision for summer, followed up with intentional actions to help our hopes and desires come to life. One of my visions for the summer is to relax into my mornings and to get more practiced at my morning routine. I turned off my alarm and began allowing myself to wake up naturally. But once I was awake, I lay there wondering how I should intentionally start my day.
My brain was filled with so many options. Did I want to:
ease into a meditation
take the dog on a walk
stretch and get some movement in
or steep and sip some rooibos tea?
The possibilities were abundant, and I began to stress about creating “the perfect routine”.
Instead of creating one set morning routine for myself, I’m now waking and assessing what my body, mind, and heart need at that moment and on this day.
I created a list of practices I like doing in the morning and revisit it each morning to see what appeals to me. This morning I began with a body scan and a feelings check-in. I followed up with meditation (I have 4-5 apps on my phone and am using Headspace this week). I then centered on a commitment I wanted to focus on, “I am a commitment to being over doing, and being present while doing.” I finished by doing a few Qigong movements to center myself. I did all of this in my backyard, taking in the rare 75-degree Richmond summer morning, my wife’s beautiful garden, and birds chirping around me. It was the intentional relaxing start to the morning I needed. And tomorrow, it will look different and be just as abundant, fulfilling, and responsive to my needs.
What’s consistent for me is the question, “What does my body (mind and/or heart) need at this moment?” Beyond that, it’s a beautiful piecing together of experiences that help me ease into my day.
My responsive routine helps me start the day with an abundant mindset rather than a scarcity mindset. Instead of, “Is this the perfect routine," or “Ugghhh, I didn’t do everything on my list,” it’s “What actions and exercises would help me move through today thoughtfully and intentionally,” recognizing the joy in unstrained choice.
If you want to try out a responsive routine, here are a few suggestions to get you started.
Make a list of options.
What actions or exercises have you done in the past that have helped you get centered for the day?
What would you like to incorporate more regularly?
This is an abundant and living list of options. If something new emerges, add it.
Before going to bed, assess what the next day entails.
I’m less anxious to jump up and go in the morning when I know what’s ahead.
This also helps me rest more soundly because my brain isn’t wondering what I’ve forgotten.
Build in and block out time for your morning routine.
Would it help to rise 15 minutes earlier?
As I mentioned in last month’s post, hopes and desires are nothing without action.
When you rise, pause, be still, and assess your feelings.
How are you feeling emotionally?
What sensations do you notice in your body? What needs tending to?
How do you feel spiritually? How does your heart feel?
Avoid your devices, social media, or things you automatically turn to. Practice just being with yourself in these moments.
Find a comfortable space and ask yourself, “What do I need at this moment?”
Recall the check-in you did when you rose. Tap into your inner wisdom.
Revisit your list of options and choose one to start with.
You don’t need to create a full plan. Start with what’s speaking to you at that moment.
After you’re done with one action or exercise, check in with yourself and your list again. If another option is speaking to you, be responsive to that.
Continue this until you feel satisfied that you’ve been responsive to your needs at this time.
The beauty is that you can revisit your list at any time. Our responsiveness shouldn’t just end at a morning routine, but we should be routinely checking in with ourselves and asking, “What do I need at this moment,” throughout the day.
Gift yourself a moment of pause today.
And until we connect again, take care, stay well, and start from within!
Continued engagement…
If you found this helpful, you may want to check out the Start From Within series, specifically the Dorsal (Stabilizing) Practices video.
In that video I share about creating a dorsal practices choice board, which you could easily do for your morning routine options!
The Start From Within series highlights exercises and tools that help you increase your self-awareness, cultivate a healthy emotional capacity, and promote equity and wellness. Access to the series is free.
