Have a great morning routine? One that sets you up for a successful day? If so I’d like to hear about it. I’m doing articles for a variety of places timed to the launch of What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast and I’d love to include some new material. Email me at lvanderkam at yahoo dot com. Thank you!
You probably don’t want my hypothetical morning routine, which never happens, right? 🙂
I remember a conversation with my grandfather when I was in high school – he was in his 70s (I think) and still woke up at 5am each day to do yoga and read the newspaper. He thought it was important to be up early, get some exercise and find out what was going on in the world. I thought that was pretty cool.
Hi Laura,
I just want to let you know I love your blog and e-mail newsletters. So many thought provoking suggestions! I also love the similar links you include on the newsletters.
I used to go back and forth between being a morning person and barely being able to get out of bed. After being in a slump for a little over a year after a break up, I was casually reading an article in Self magazine that suggested spending some time outside, even if it was only five minutes in the morning while you sip your coffee, to give you a kick of Vitamin D to help with depression. I drink coffee every morning, normally taking sips in between putting on make-up, doing my hair, and running around, so drinking coffee was something I could do- I only needed to change my location. So I decided to set my alarm 30 minutes earlier so I could read my Bible or some sort of motivational book that I had been meaning to get around to. I heard a dog could also help with depression, but I didn’t have the time or money to get one, so I improvised would take my family’s dog outside with me. I would go out on our east-facing front porch to sit in a big wooden rocking chair, feeling the bright warm up the morning sun on my face while sipping on my coffee and watching my dog sniff around and chase squirrells. I didn’t think about what I had to do that day or worry about when I would get out of the slump I was in, I just enjoyed the scenery. I have been a morning person ever since! Even on cold mornings, making myself sit outside with a big warm blanket just holding my hot mug of coffee did wonders. When I was short on time, trying to squeeze in just doing this for 5 minutes a day still helps me start the day out on a positive note. I’m out of my slump now, but still cherish those almost magical mornings outdoors with my cup of coffee.
Thanks again!!
@Julie- thanks so much for sharing your story. I’m glad you’re out of your slump, but those early morning coffees do sound nice!