7 Life-Changing Morning Rituals
ritual
ˈrɪtʃʊəl
adjective:
relating to or done as a religious or solemn rite.
(of an action) arising from convention or habit.
Rituals can be the simple habits that you perform daily, like brushing your teeth or showering AND they can also be the simple habits that you choose to cultivate purposefully, changing the course of your life.
When you also infuse your actions with meaning and presence, you allow simple tasks and practices to become sacred rituals, and your life starts to feel deeply connected and purposeful.
The rituals I’m sharing below are the morning rituals that I have been doing consistently in recent months. My morning practices change with the seasons, with different places and people and phases, and with the energy or frequency that I’m wanting to bring into my life.
Having this strong connection to ritual and to Self each morning has helped me build a strong foundation to move from busy, easily overwhelmed, working mum, struggling to juggle it all with fluctuating energy levels...to feeling calm and confident in my capacity to run a business, support clients, be present and connected with my teenagers, and navigate big life changes all while honouring my energy and staying strong and centred.
My Morning Rituals
1. Meditate first thing, for at least 15 minutes.
I have a specific place I go to each morning out on the balcony, and the same blanket that I wrap around me like a queen’s robe. I take in the view for a few moments, then set a timer and begin with focussing on my breath. I deeply inhale for 5 seconds and then allow the exhale to be longer and slower, for 8 or 9 seconds. This breathing brings me to a relaxed state where I can settle my mind. I do find 30 or even 45 minutes is better, but it’s not always schedule friendly so instead of only meditating when I have time, I make that 15 minutes everyday the foundation of my practice.
2. Keep a sacred agreement with myself.
Getting up to meditate before the rest of the household is awake means getting up when the alarm goes off, and NOT engaging in a negotiation with myself. You know those thoughts like “oh just 10 more minutes…” or “it’s ok to skip one day” or “maybe I’ll just squeeze in the meditation later today”. When I set the alarm each night before bed and commit to that time, I imagine the morning and what it might feel like, when the kids will get up, what the weather might be like and agree that I will get out of bed at that time, even if I don't really feel like it.
3. Music and Movement!
I choose an upbeat playlist (right now it’s this one), put headphones in and then tune into my body, and ask what it needs. Depending on my energy and where I'm at in my cycle, movement could look like a stretch and wriggle on the yoga mat, a workout with weights, or a run or walk down into the gully. I love to use music to help set the tone of energy in the house in the mornings too. If it’s a really tight morning and we’ve got to get out the door early, at the very minimum, I make sure I do some squats while brushing my teeth!
4. Connect to the vision.
I have a notebook with daily to do lists and monthly milestones to get clear and focused for the day ahead. Like many women in this modern world, I tend to have way too many things to do for the time available each day, so writing them all down and putting times next to each task helps me see what I can realistically achieve, what needs to move to another day and also what tasks I can batch together for efficiency. This process has helped me more than any productivity app or online task manager I’ve ever tried!
5. Self clearing and alignment.
Living in a busy and full household, there’s a lot of different dynamics and it's easy to be affected by other people’s moods or situations happening around me. Emotional clearing is a way of tuning into your energy field and clearing any “stuck” emotions or energies that aren’t in alignment with what you want to do and how you want to feel. There’s a couple of “clears” I do daily as energetic hygiene and then others to help me stay clear and open and inspired to take actions towards the vision I’m creating.
You can learn how to do self clearing with the free book Clear Your Shit available via www.thespiral.com
6. Drink water!
I start early and aim for 2-3 Litres a day. When I’m drinking water I’m consciously thinking about the nourishment and how my cells are drinking up this clear and pure elixir. It's helpful to have a 2 Litre bottle that you can pour into a glass while working or take with you on the run.
7. Get inspired.
On the mornings when I drive, or have time for a longer walk, I love to pick a podcast or audiobook to listen to and get inspired or keep learning.
My fave podcasts recently are Kat River’s - Mother Maker and old podcasts of Juliet Allen’s authentic sex - the conversations with Zoe Bosco, Alison Rice and Jane Hardwicke Collins are gold.
Books that I’ve loved listening to and recommend often are Unbound by Kasia Urbaniak and Existential Kink By Carilyn Elliot for expanding your awareness of self. I also loved Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert for connecting to the power and mystery of creativity.
So, these are the morning rituals that are supporting me right now. Other practices that have been supportive in the past have been:
Joining groups of people at sunrise for an ocean dip,
Making a warm cacao on the stove, then drinking this while journaling,
Pulling tarot cards or oracle cards
Listening to guided meditations
Going to the gym or swimming laps
Making coffee and sitting with my partner outside before the busy of the day begins
Having sensual showers, being present and connecting to my body
Writing affirmations and visualising the future I want
What do your mornings look like? How are they setting you up for the day?
Is there something you’re inspired to do to bring more meaningful ritual to your mornings?
Understanding the importance of ritual and habits is something we cover in the first weeks of my Nurture program. To find out more or join the next round, book a call with me here.
Did you find this inspiring? I share more over on instagram - you can connect with me there!