Greet the Morning with a Start Routine

Some creatives are built with our internal clocks set to the glorious sunrise. When dew still glistens on the lawn. When the fog clears to a new day. When the air bursts with promise. However, others wake up when the sun’s higher in the sky . . . around brunch time. Or even later (Where my night owls at?). 😉

Whether you jump out of bed at 5 a.m. or 5 p.m., having a system set in place the moment your beautiful eyes greet the day gives you the chance to hit the ground running. And since the time we rise from sleep varies for each person, I’ll begin referring to morning routines as “Start Routines” from now on. Sound good?

At Full Force

The purpose of having a routine is to give you control of how you spend your time so you can focus your energy on what matters. In this way, we can give proper attention to our passion projects and not be drowned by everyday tasks.

Think of your energy as a debit card with a set amount of funds at the beginning of the day. Every time you make a decision, even a small one, you’re swiping that card to make a transaction. And the more you swipe, the less funds you have. Having a set Start Routine removes the excess “swiping” and “prepays” the smaller decisions ahead of time.

But must every creative have a Start Routine? No. Incorporate the strategies that supercharge your lifestyle. If a Start Routine doesn’t work for you, then I give you permission to close this window right now to be your awesome self.

However, if you have yet to experiment with Start Routines, this is your chance!

Remember, everyone is different. No two routines will be exactly alike because no two people are the same. You are uniquely you. So use the following as suggestions for your own Start Routine. (They go in no particular order.)

Activate

Activate through physical activity & inspiration to keep tucked in your mind throughout the day. | Hint of Jam

Physical. Wake up your body through movement. This could range from yoga to running a couple miles to a single-song dance party. The level and intensity depends on your preferences and intentions. Moving around signals to your body that it’s time to get up and gives you a moment to loosen up your limbs, especially if you’ll be sitting at a desk or staying in one position all day.

Mental. Allow your mind the chance to just be. Empty out all excess thoughts, then slowly fill your mind with thoughts that inspire you. This can include meditation, reflection, or visualization.

  • What I do: Once my mind is clear, I think of one thing/person I’m thankful for. Then I read and reflect on my daily devotions. Gratitude + reflection = motivation to get up and be productive.

Cleanse

Clean up & get dressed to give your body the "Ah, it's a new day" feel. | Hint of Jam

Wash and get dressed, even if you’ll be working from home. Brushing your teeth and wiping your face with a cleansing towel (like Yes To Cucumbers, one of my faves) might be enough for the morning. Perhaps you want to add in a cold shower. Whatever your method, cleansing starts you off with a blank slate to give your body the feeling of “Ah, this is a new day.”

Also, don’t forget to make the bed! 🙂

  • What I do: Normally, I wash up, brush my teeth, and reset my hair in its usual ponytail. But if I’m feeling extra groggy, I put on nicer clothes and add a dab of makeup for a mood boost.

Eat

Fuel up with food to boost creativity & to support metabolism. | Hint of Jam

After sleeping all night, your body has gone without food for an extended period of time. And although skipping breakfast is tempting, food = fuel. Without fuel, we lack energy. Without energy, we may undermine our creativity.

Plus, breakfast (or brunch for my night owl friends) supports your metabolism. If you’re running on fumes, your body will hoard whatever you take in throughout the day, creating an imbalance. So show your body love. Grab a granola bar to go, sit down to eat pancakes drizzled with coconut syrup, or prepare a smoothie the evening before.

  • What I do: Before I eat, I drink a glass of water to gently wake up my digestive system. Then I eat a breakfast I actually enjoy, like oatmeal with strawberries or my favorite cereal (Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds, y’all). Yummm.

Stimulate

Warm up your creative energy to prep yourself for your passion project work. | Hint of Jam

Some creatives can start working on their passion projects without much prompting. But if you’re like me,  you might need a little warm-up to begin creating. You might consider morning pages or rearranging your to-do list. Something to jog your creativity while setting you up for the rest of the day.

  • What I do: Looking through the tasks for the day in my Bullet Journal, I rewrite the list of items on a sticky note where the not-so fun tasks go first to get ’em out of the way. Then the rest feel like rewards. Win!

Give yourself the opportunity to focus on what matters through a Start Routine. | Hint of Jam

And there you have it. Although routines are usually done the same daily, that doesn’t mean you can’t change it up once in a while. Or even week to week. If it no longer caters to your needs, feel free to adjust!

Remember, the purpose of having a Start Routine is to free your creative self to focus on what matters by taking care of the everyday tasks. So you can “set it & forget it.”

Here’s to starting off on the bright side, creative warrior!

When you can start your day with a set routine, you have the opportunity to focus your creative energy on what matters most. Jamae suggest four features to consider including in your Start Routine. | Hint of Jam


Write Time

What other aspects do you include in your Morning / Start Routine? Let me know in the comments below, lovely!


Interested in a worksheet to help you with your Start Routine? A copy of the Start Routine Chart along with additional resources will be included in the next The Write Spread newsletter. Feel free to sign up by clicking here or on the banner below.

Subscribe to The Write Spread Newsletter | Hint of Jam

4 Comments

Thanks, Ann, for writing this.
I’m an early writer and as well an undergrad. Most times, I’m engaged in school work which makes me give less time to consistent practice. How can I best balance my school work with my writing exercises?
Thank you.

Hi, Henry! I apologize for the delay in reply. 😅 But I’m glad you found this article helpful!

School work can definitely take up a lot of creative energy. To balance writing time with academics, one method that’s worked for me is to commit to writing when creativity feels freshest. This can range from ten minutes in the morning every day or one hour in the evening on weekends. Just know there’s no wrong way to write. As long as you find a regular time to devote to your craft, then run full speed ahead with it!

If you’re interested in finding other methods, consider starting with this article from a while back: Your Best Writing Time. I hope this helps. 🙂 Happy writing, Henry!

I liked the visuals and organization of this post. It’s true, some people totally benefit from a start routine! I dunno about that bed making business though 😛 totally not my jam. XD Lovely post, thank you for sharing!

Thank you, Erica! I agree; making the bed isn’t for everyone. Even those who’ve made it part of their Start Routine have days when tossing back the sheets and leaving them as is saves a few extra minutes. 😉 It’s all in what works for the individual on each day. Thanks for stopping by!

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