5 Steps for a Purposeful Morning Routine

While this time off during quarantine was trying at times, it also brought many blessings into my life that I would like to take with me as we start to get back to "normal". One being having a Morning Routine dedicated to Self Care, this not only gets me in the right mindset and sets my day up for success but it allows me to enjoy the quiet of the morning. It's Allie time and I look forward to it every morning.

I want to share it with you – each step, how I do it, how long it takes me, and how I make it happen every morning – in hopes that it will inspire you to take action on creating the morning that you desire.

STEPS TO MY MORNING RITUAL

1. Make Matcha and Get Quiet

I typically get out of bed between 8 and 8:30, and the very first thing I do is make a Matcha Tea Latte with Rose Petals. While it’s brewing, I get quiet and sit down on the floor, which allows me to feel centered.

I focus on the things around me, like the silence, or how good the Matcha tastes (that first cup of tea is such a small, simple joy for me). Or maybe the smell of the candle I’ve lit or the birds chirping. I simply let my mind wander.

After a few minutes pass, I allow the time to leak into meditation.

2. Meditate

Meditation is so powerful. It depends on what you’re thinking about and how you’re going about it, but for me, meditation looks like reciting something, (sometimes out loud, sometimes in my head), a word or a phrase, possibly a scripture, with my eyes closed. Closing my eyes allows me to stay present and not get distracted from the meditation.

If I feel like a word is really speaking to me, I’ll focus on that and just keep taking deep breaths, while I continue reciting the word over and over again. I’m focusing on intentionality. I choose to focus on that word, and then I invite my guides to join me in my morning routine and to be present with me throughout the day.

Occasionally a distracting thought will come. I acknowledge that it’s there, and then purposely let it go. I stop worrying about it, and go back to repeating my word or phrase.

Doing this for 10 to 15 minutes has been proven to reduce your cortisol, so I encourage you to meditate, even if all you can spare is 5 minutes. Set a timer (one without a jarring alarm), and then close your eyes and begin.

3. Pray

After I’ve finished my coffee, I will go into prayer. I talk about what’s on my heart.

If anything came up while I was meditating, I will give it to ,my angels and guides and talk it out and pray through it. Pray for guidance, you connect with your inner wisdom. It’s so simple. Pick an area of your life that you feel blocked right now. Ask for help and then repeat this prayer: "Thank you universe for guiding me to perceive this fear through the teacher of love." My hopes for you all is that this prayer process will help you realign your energy and chose the perception of love. In any moment no matter how far along the path of fear you’ve gone, you can always chose again. I choose love not fear💕Whatever the day may bring, I’ll pray about it.

4. Morning Pages

Morning pages is a type of journaling where you write at least 3 pages a day. The first page is all about your thoughts. Basically you want to do “stream of consciousness” writing. Maybe what’s going on in your life, what’s bothering you, or anything that is going on in your head. It doesn’t matter, just let it out.

If you struggle to begin, I encourage you to just start writing. Usually if I’m unable to think of what to write, I’ll just open my journal and write, “I’m sitting on the couch. The fire’s going. It’s really quiet.” And, then the next sentence just begins to flow out. Try it!

The second page is all about what’s going on that day. Use this page to determine your plan for the day, collect your thoughts and mentally get ready for the day ahead.

The third page is all about gratitude. When you’re writing this page, don’t be vague or obvious, get specific. Instead of just writing that you are grateful for your husband, you could write something like, I’m grateful for the color of my husband’s eyes, or my husband’s mild temper.

Those are just examples, but my point is to just get specific.

5. Read a chapter from an inspirational book

Every month I've chosen a new book or I re read some of my favorites. Whether Inspirational or educational it sets me up to be inspired and positive for the day. And then I pick an angel card or Mantra card.

The reason it is such a priority for me is because it has deeply affected my mindset throughout the day. I start in a different place, I feel better, lighter, and more confident. This time also allows me, to invite my guides to speak with me, in this quite time is also when I get powerful message for my clients, and at the end I invite my guides to be with me throughout the day. Doing this is so, so powerful.

Not only that, but it makes me a more patient person, and improves my attitude. If I’m 100% honest with you, my biggest weakness is that I can be very impatient, and I can struggle with anger. But, when I follow-through with my morning ritual, I find that I don’t struggle with these things very often.

And, finally, it provides me with a sense of gratitude in the midst of any difficulties I may be experiencing. It allows me to step back and look at the situation and ask myself, “What is good about this?” and bring my focus there.

You can hop over and follow me on Instagram to see how I practice intentional living in real life.

I hope that you find this encouraging, and that you go and make your own morning ritual that serves you and makes you feel better and more together, confident and peaceful throughout your day.

What follow-up questions do you have? Please share them in the comments!