Dear World,

Morning rituals are like a steady hand on the helm of life, guiding us through the chaos of the day ahead. For me, they are more than routines, they are moments of calm and grace.

The responsible adult in me considers morning routines and rituals as the anchors that keep me steady. They’re habitual parts of life that help to keep me grounded. Additionally, my introverted and generally quiet nature loves a good quiet morning. Not only is it refreshing and battery boosting, but that kind of morning is more than part of a routine.

I believe it was Lewis Howes who said that “the key to forming good habits is to make them part of your ‘rituals.’ I have a morning ritual, afternoon ritual, and Sunday ritual. It’s one way to bundle good habits into regular times that you set aside to prepare yourself for the life you want“. Next to Howes is Tony Campolo who said that “rituals keep us from forgetting what must not be forgotten and keep us rooted in a past from which we must not be disconnected“.

Morning Rituals that Anchor Me

The above are great ways to perceive rituals in general and more specifically, morning rituals. There are times when I will wake up and follow my morning ritual to the T.

You’ll find me setting my intentions for the next day and then going to bed early -YES!! Setting intentions the night before and ending the day early are the first steps to a successful morning routine. So, you’ll find me rolling out of bed at 4am (after my early bedtime, to exercise, do yoga, Wall Pilates, meditate, and journal. That would then be followed by me making my bed, taking a shower, doing oral care and face skincare. After that, I’ll make some tea, or coffee maybe with breakfast, and sit in silence for a few minutes. Then and only then will I get my official day started, and it usually results in a very good day. But! There’s the other side of the coin where you’ll find me going against all that.

For instance, I recall having one of the busiest days ahead, and I went to bed early, woke up early, followed my routine and I was out the door early, feeling good. My spirits were high despite the jam-packed agenda. I powered through each task, took my lunch on time, and ended the work day feeling my most accomplished. I think the lesson here is that I didn’t feel slowed down or overwhelmed because I did all those things. This experience reminded me that starting the day with intention can transform even the busiest moments into manageable and fulfilling ones.

Sometimes, however, the strict rituals and habits fall by the wayside because we get derailed by life and we go as the wind blows us to the most “important”; at least, that’s the case for me.

Morning Rituals Break and That’s Okay

While I treasure my morning ritual and all its grounding moments, life doesn’t always allow for the ideal start—and that’s perfectly okay.

All that is done when things are in equilibrium for me – and it’s not always that way. So, when things are haywire and I’m sick or exhausted, some things will not get done in the morning or any at all for the entire day. So, my bed might not get made and I may not exercise or have the quiet moment with my hot beverage. There’s nothing wrong with that, it makes me human, in my opinion. Some might say I allow my feelings to control my habits, but I disagree. If I’m unwell physically or too much is happening, some things will be deprioritised and that’s that. It doesn’t mean that the day won’t go well. It just means that the day won’t be my standard. One thing’s for sure and two things’ for certain, though, is that I will take a shower or a bath. That is first and foremost non-negotiable. I’m Black. I have to! As a cultural norm and personal principle, taking a shower or bath is a must—especially when heading out, going to bed, staying at home or just existing. These things, unless I am going through a depressive episode and I have, what feels like, no desire or control.

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That being said, I do love a good morning ritual, especially the ones where I sit with my coffee or tea and my thoughts for about 20 minutes in silence with only the birds outside chirping. If it’s not complete silence, I’ll have some classical music or gospel music playing in the background. It’s the most calm-filled dopamine boosting experience.

Talk to me. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this—what anchors you in the mornings, and how do your rituals evolve with life’s ups and downs?

Signed,

The Suburban Girl JA®