Priming Your Day
The way we start our day, primes us for the rest of it. It’s a simple truth that I’ve learned to live by for the past 5 years.
We all hear about morning routines and how powerful they are. And there is a reason why. Because it is true.
Having a system that works for us repeatedly is the definition of self-knowledge. It is through our behavior that we define who we are.
So having a consistent routine that enables you to connect within yourself, energize you, and create high quality work, primes that behavior for the rest of the day.
Furthermore, our morning and our evening routines are often the times where we have the most control over our life. So it’s the best place to start installing life-changing habits.
That said, I’d love to share the morning routine I am currently using. After years of experimentation, this is the best one I have created so far.
I hope it gives you some ideas and inspiration for your own routines.
Hydrate
I always start my day with two glasses of lemon water. The reason is simple. After a night of sleep our body needs hydration. Lemon water is extremely rich in minerals and electrolytes. In addition, it helps your liver detoxify anything that it needs to let go off.
Meditate
Meditation has been my most cherished habit for many years now. It grounds me, connects me to my soul, and enables me to accept and let go anything that is holding me back. Now, I always meditate in silence but I used guided meditations when I was starting off (Insight Timer is amazing). I close my meditation with a prayer for the day.
Journal
I love journaling so much. Perhaps this is because I am writer too. But my way of journaling in the morning is not so common.
First, I tune in and ask guidance from my soul and my higher self. I follow this by writing down three questions “What do I need to know today?”, “Who am I?”, and “What’s my purpose for today?”
Second, I write for as long as needed without thinking about what I am doing. I just listen and receive the words of wisdom I need for the day. If needed, I ask additional questions on specific things in my life like work or relationships.
Third, I write down my desired identity in energy, work and love. Today for instance, these were Radiant Light, Committed Creator, and Open-Hearted Soul. Then, I write down the virtues I want to embody like courage, compassion, and presence. And finally, the number one behavior I want to focus on today.
This process gives me clarity and purpose every single day. By getting clear on paper about what’s important for me, I usually don’t waste my time during the day.
Pre-input Work
This is an incredible secret if you want to do highly creative work. At this point in my routine, I have not used any form of technology or inputs of any kind. The reason is simple but powerful. You want to be creative before you are reactive.
By doing pre-input work, I am the most focused and creative that I can be. As soon as I let inputs in, I know my attention erodes itself. By working in this way for 60-90 minutes, I usually get my most important work done first thing in the morning.
Flow Training
This is my favorite mind-body practice to ground myself and connect to inner peace. Flow training has 4 parts: energy flow, strength training, yoga, and breathwork & meditation. The whole practice usually takes me between 40 and 80 minutes.
It’s an amazing way to release any tension in the body, while strengthening it and connecting us deeper to our center.
Heavy Metal Detox Smoothie
Finally, after a hot or cold shower, I have a smoothie. This one comes from the Medical Medium, Anthony William. It helps to cleanse any heavy metals and toxins we have stored in our body.
Here is the recipe I use every morning:
2-3 bananas
1-2 cups of wild blueberries
1 cup cilantro
1 orange
1 tsp barley grass juice powder
1 tsp spirulina
1 handful of Atlantic dulse
I can’t describe how much I love starting my day with this smoothie! If I can’t make one, I either have a bowl of fruits or I fast.
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So there you have it. I hope it gave you some ideas to try out in your life.
If you feel called to, take a moment now to create your own ideal morning routine. Include whatever feels best for YOU.
But remember, you don’t have to do it perfectly every single day. Nor does it need to take 4 hours. The most important is that you have a system that primes you for your best behavior.
Have fun experimenting!
