Do you have your favorite morning routine?
The time of day I give the most attention to is the morning. Plans can easily change, and a day rarely unfolds exactly as expected. Still, I began to wonder if I could at least shape the way my day begins. Even if I can’t control how the rest of the day goes, perhaps I can choose how to start it.
Maybe that is why I started trying different things, one at a time: what time to wake up, what to eat in the morning, and what to do first. Some stayed with me for a long time, while others quickly disappeared. I let go of the routines that did not suit me and added the ones that seemed to work, gradually shaping my mornings into something that felt more like my own.
Here is a look back at some of the morning routines I have tried.
Wakining up at 6 a.m.
I became interested in the idea of a miracle morning again and it seemed like it might help ease my anxiety. I managed to keep it up for several months, but these days, I wake up at 8 a.m.
Meditating
I took up meditation because I wanted to calm my body and mind and feel less easily shaken throughout the day. Sadly, it has fallen out of my routine for now, but I would like to pick it up again someday.
Eating an apple
I had heard that eating an apple in the morning could be especially good for you. Even though I am not much of a fruit person, I ate one almost every morning for several months. Over time, though, the habit gradually fell away. I believe it might find its way back into my routine someday.
After going through many different versions of my morning routine, I realized that there is no such thing as a universally good or bad routine. Each one was simply something I needed at a particular point in my life.
Here are the morning routines I currently keep up with.
Studying foreign languages
I study English and French, usually after I wake up. I have always enjoyed learning languages, and through them, I hope to open myself up to more opportunities, new possibilities, and a wider world.
Writing
I write about my experiences and thoughts on my blog and on Brunch, a Korean platform for serialized writing. Writing is not always easy, but it has also become a kind of healing practice for me. Little by little, it helps me grow into a better version of myself.
Drinking soy milk
Instead of eating an apple in the morning, I now drink black bean soy milk every day. All I have to do is take a carton out of the fridge and drink it, which makes it the easiest routine to stick to. It also feels like a simple way to take care of my health.
Working out
This is usually the last part of my morning routine. I know how important it is to build up my stamina, and once evening comes around, I tend to put exercise off. So I get my workout done before the morning is over. I usually exercise at home, which is commonly called “home training” in Korea.
These days, I see my morning routines as one of the most imporatant parts of my day. It gives me a small but steady foundation for building a rhythm of my own. I cannot control how the whole day turns out. Still, I can choose the small actions that shape the way it begins!