18. Mornings

I’m on a roll. Well, a mini roll.

I’ve always admired the concept of a morning routine—in theory, rather than in practice.

But for the second day in a row, I haven’t checked my phone immediately after waking up. And it’s been game-changing.

Usually, when my phone alarm goes off, I’ll silence it and pick up the device moments later. Next thing I know, I’ve mindlessly checked work emails and responded to texts that have appeared overnight. Only then will I turn to my daily I AM journal, by which time I’m already feeling distracted and a bit frustrated.

Rearranging the furniture in my room this weekend gave me a new lease on life, so I set myself a challenge:

To only check my phone after I’ve gotten up out of bed.

It sounds simple, but it’s really taken a conscious effort.

These past two mornings, upon turning off my alarm, I’ve reached straight for my journal. After writing for 5–10 minutes, I’ve gone into 20 minutes of Qigong (which I’m sure I’ll talk more about another time) and 30 minutes of exercise. Only then have I checked my phone. And by that point, my interest in what’s on there has already waned. Who knew how motivating a different bedside table could be?

Spending my first waking hour on these grounding practices has left me feeling more energized to take on the rest of the day.

This hour has gifted me permission to intentionally prioritize the wellness of my whole self. By first pausing to turn inwards, I’m more present, focused, and motivated when I turn outwards to the daily demands of life and work.

Resisting the temptation of our devices is easier said than done. Since having all our interactions move online, it has become that much more important to set boundaries for ourselves around technology.

Journaling, Qigong, and working out might not be your thing. But what can you do when you first wake up to start your day off on the right foot?

Maybe I’ll get a standalone alarm clock, so I can charge my phone far, far away from my bed…