Morning Routine

I have always been a person who loves sleep. Maybe because I love to dream. I feel like in my dreams, I travel to far off places and have conversations with people I have met before or have yet to meet in life. So when my alarm goes off in the morning sometimes I don’t want to leave that magical dreamland.

I wouldn’t mind waking up super early if I truthfully, didn’t go to bed so late. I have this weird sense of FOMO, like I’m going to miss out on something really exciting happening around the hours of 12am-5am. But once my head hits the pillow I’m off to la la land. Mr. Sandman doesn’t even need to sprinkle his sleeping stardust on me because I’m asleep as soon as my eyes are closed.

I am the type of person who can sleep anywhere, anytime and in any position. Some of my best naps have been riding on the subway. I even fell asleep standing up one time. Put me in any automobile or plane, train or on a boat and I will guarantee that I will fall asleep. Afternoon naps are my favourite. Give me a minimum 20 minutes in a day and I can fall asleep in any chair. So I think it’s safe to say I’m a pretty great sleeper.

I read somewhere, in the first 30 minutes upon waking up in the morning sets the tone of the entire day. I also read that geniuses can survive on 4 hours of sleep. So my thoughts of me going to bed late and waking up super early would make me a genius right?!!? It doesn’t take a genius to know that won’t work.

I recently completed teaching my first 21 Day Meditation Challenge. This challenge was dedicated to Brain Awareness and Alzheimer’s month. I would start off with fun brain training games then followed with breath work. The breath work would tie in beautifully with the meditation. My intention was to establish a good morning routine that would benefit me and my students each morning. I wanted to promote healthy strong minds that would benefit long term effects such as memory, focus, language, concentration and problem solving skills.

At first it was so easy to wake up early and be still. I would sit in meditation for 10 minutes and ask my spirit guides to fill me with the highest source of love and compassion, so I could deliver a wonderful class of healing. After I would do my brain training through Luminosity Brain app. I found establishing my personal morning routine was better when I was able to write things down. I had the help of staying accountable by using My Morning Magic Journal an incredibly thought out and profound journal book created by Anna Gala.

For me personally, when I can write things down on paper like my thoughts, feelings or goals it makes my wishes, hopes and desires seem that much more real. I believe when I can get my thoughts out on paper and written by hand, I am telling the Universe what REALLY is important to me.

What I love about the My Morning Magic Journal is how well it’s organized. You open the book on a new page and ready to create your thoughts. Turning on to a blank page is like starting fresh every single day. You fill out the date at the top, which reminds me that I am present on that specific date. Next there’s always a beautiful quote at the top of the page. Reading a quote from a famous person or anonymous source reminds me that someone before me has also experienced everything that I am experiencing now.

The actual magic begins when you start letting your pen hit the paper. I love to write, so there’s never enough space for me to write out my thoughts, feelings, emotions and mood but I try to narrow it down to what is most important in that moment. I go with the first thought that comes up. Not all my million thoughts can make it on the page. I love how the journal is broken down into sections “Get Still. Get Moving. Get Going”. I don’t always do my routine in that order but I like to use it as a checklist guide.

After when I have completed all sections in the journal, then that is when I’m ready to teach my morning 21 Day Meditation event. Allowing myself to be grateful to fully share my safe space and meditation practice with others. I found when I took the time to wake up early and do my morning routine before I even began to share, I was more relaxed. I was prepared. I spoke thoughtfully and mindfully.

There were some days during the 21 Days where I did not want to wake up. So I let myself sleep in a little bit more. But on those days I was rushing just to get my morning routine completed. I felt stressed and needed even more time just to bring myself back to centre. So I made it a habit to wake up at 5:20am. I gave myself the extra 10 minutes just in case I needed more time to stretch and get out of bed.

It was easier waking up knowing I had to be there for these ladies each and every morning. Now that the meditation challenge is complete, I’ll have to keep myself accountable by sticking to my own morning routine. I don’t think I’ll be waking up at 5:20am anymore but I’m going to start by reaching for My Morning Magic Journal versus reaching for my phone and checking social media or reading emails.

The way I see it, if I’m lucky enough to open my eyes and to breathe another day, then I’m going to rise & shine to the best possible version of me everyday. I am going to start waking up knowing that “I am Magic” and everyday is blessing just to be alive.

My morning routine
Stretch 5 minutes
Drink Full Glass of Water
Make Tea
Meditation and Breath Work 10-15 minutes
Write in “My Morning Magic Journal” 15-20minutes
Luminosity Brain Training App 10 minutes
Drink Tea
Check social media and emails 20 minutes
Exercise 60-90 minutes (boxing, kettlebell, HIIT, run or yoga)

Everything that happens after my morning routine is just gravy. So I’m going to be more mindful to start all my mornings off with a little more morning magic. Cheers to every morning to being a great morning.