My Morning Routine is a site that asks people about their morning routine, as simple as that, but I really like the insights.
Some of my fascination with this site is pure nosiness, I like to know what other people get up to, there, I’ve said it.
The major part of my fascination comes from experiences in my own life where I’ve let my morning routine get in a mess, once I was in a mess I realised how important routine was, especially in a morning. Since then I’ve tried to drive a set routine for most mornings and that’s really helped.
There are a couple of other aspects of the site that I like. Firstly, most of the insights are from women, My Morning Routine is not a site dominated by middle-aged white men. Even though I am a middle-aged white man even I can have too much of them. Secondly, many of the people would only be recognised in their own field, they’re not universally famous, or even recognised, they’re not ordinary, but they aren’t celebrities either.
I thought about writing my own version of one of the My Morning Routine posts, but instead decided to highlight some of the intriguing answers that people give to the standard questions:
I am not a morning person. This is exactly why first thing in the morning is my most critical creative time. Research shows that your off-peak times are the best for insightful thinking, so my one goal in the morning is to make the most of that still-slightly-groggy time.
Yes, I treat my transition to sleep as a sacrosanct ritual.
First, I turn off all my electronic devices and gently escort them out of my bedroom. Then, I take a hot bath with epsom salts and a candle flickering nearby; a bath that I prolong if I’m feeling anxious or worried about something. I don’t sleep in my workout clothes as I used to (think of the mixed message that sends to our brains) but have pajamas, nightdresses, and even T-shirts dedicated to sleep. Sometimes I have a cup of chamomile or lavender tea if I want something warm and comforting before going to bed. I love reading real, physical books, especially poetry, novels, and books that have nothing to do with work.
I am a night owl, so my bedtime is usually around 1:00am these days.
I have a specific evening routine I carry out as well so to help me wind down my day and start the next one with a sense of direction; part of my evening routine is writing down My 3 Absolutes for the next day.
I start my morning with a simple prayer: Lord, help me see. That’s it. Nothing fancy. I find it offers me the precise amount of perspective I need throughout the day – I’m always repeating it in my head!
The statistics page is interesting, 30% of the people are 6am risers with 30% of them in bed for 10pm. 30% of them have had their current routine for more than 3 years. 60% of them check their phones immediately.
Graham Chastney 