Coffee Breath(s) & Morning Routines
A few decades ago, there was a hot new ‘self-help’ book hitting the shelves called “The Artist’s Way”. I resisted doing the Artist’s Way for years. While it intrigued my passion for self-improvement and seemed like it would be fun….
…I was (over) dramatically opposed to the main exercise it suggested doing daily: writing morning pages.
Morning pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing done first thing in the morning. The suggestion is to write 3 full notebook pages every morning for 30 days in a row.
Whaaat?? Thirty days? In a row?
I was well into my 30’s when a close group of girlfriends suggested we do the Artist's Way course together. My desire to experience the many creative and fun prompts finally outweighed my resistance to that one ‘morning pages’ exercise I dreaded.
The rebellious teenager in me purposely bought a 4” x 6” journal to use instead of the standard 8.5” x 11” spiral notebook that was suggested, as if it was some kind of punishment I was given instead of a free will choice to liberate my consciousness.
Looking back at my younger self who was filled with so much fear and some defiance, I offer her more compassion now.
Like most people, I resisted writing back then because I was afraid of what I might discover about myself. It was uncomfortable to sit still with me; with who I was in that current moment. If I started writing, I was afraid it might open up the floodgate of emotions and the possibility that I could make changes; that I had choices. And, that I was not a victim to the challenges of my life.
Change can be scary. It was for me then. It still can be scary even now.
Those morning pages did not turn out to be the horror movie I was afraid to peek through my fingers and look at. It was more like watching a rom-com about a young woman rediscovering her creativity and the many colors life has to offer, instead of just a black and white palette.
Writing those stream of consciousness thoughts on a daily basis (even if some days they were “I have nothing to write today, I have nothing to write today”) were the beginnings of a beautiful 20-year relationship I now have with myself and my morning routine.
Those 30 minutes every morning gifted me:
Time to be quiet and dump my brain that had filled up while I was sleeping
Space to be still before the day became busy
A chance to connect with my heart
Time to connect with God and my creativity
Create Your Morning Routine
Today my morning routine looks a little different. I still wake up before everyone, take a few minutes to stretch, let the dog out to pee, and get my cup of coffee. But a few years back I felt this nudge to work on my mindset. My cynicism and negativity were on the rise and my motivation dropped as I entered a new phase of life with new challenges. Some of my self care tools needed a refresh.
A friend suggested I read, Make Miracles in 40 Days, by Melodie Beattie. I had loved some of her other books, so I ordered it right away.
Again, just like the morning pages, I was resistant to the daily practice it suggested: writing a gratitude list of 10 things for which I am grateful. And sharing it with a trusted friend without feedback.
This time, I didn't wait 10 years to try it.
Instead of writing morning pages for 30 days with a group, it suggested writing a gratitude list for 6 weeks with one friend with whom you share it.
And I am grateful to say, we are currently on day 670 of sharing our gratitude lists with one another.
The benefits I have experienced with the gratitude list are similar to the morning pages, with the bonus of rewiring my brain/mindset towards a more positive outlook and attitude towards my life and relationships with the people I love.
Today, when I coach my clients on their health and wellness goals, one of the first tools we talk about is their morning routine. Do they have one? What is it? Is it working for them or against them? Do they miss it when they don’t do it?
With her permission, I want to share a morning routine one of my coaching clients recently started:
“I call it my coffee breaths”, she told me with a sly smile, wondering if I caught the wordplay.
I couldn’t stop laughing. That was the greatest name for a sacred morning routine I ever heard.
“Instead of continuing to binge watch a Netflix show or scroll through my phone before work, I take my coffee to my favorite chair and look out my window and pay attention to my breathing.”
Voila! A simple habit that adds so much science backed benefits to her day AND has a great name! Moments like this are why I love my clients! The sense of humor and creativity that I get to experience is one of the bonuses of our work together.
The key to a great morning routine for both myself and my clients: pick specific routines that will prep you for the day you want to have.
Here’s a small list of some other amazing ideas that you might sprinkle into your current morning routine:
When you open the blinds, stand still for a moment and observe the natural world.
Indulge in high-quality tea or coffee. A little luxury to start the day never hurt anyone.
Feel a burning need to check your emails, news, or socials? Set a timer for 5 minutes.
Drink a glass of water to rehydrate your body after a night’s sleep.
Need an extra boost of energy to meet the demands of the day? Turn on some music and let it move you.
The greatest satisfaction I’ve received from practicing a morning routine is the calm, peaceful sense of wellbeing that going inward offers, before I move outward to the tasks and responsibilities of the day ahead.
Your morning routine is a deeply personal thing. I’ve had 20 years to work on mine, and I work with clients every day who are still fine-tuning theirs.
If you’d like, take a look at how we can create a beautiful, unique morning routine that fits you and your amazing life.