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

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.

• What I do: A few yoga positions in bed to hone in on my breathing. Although I tend to stick to gentle movements, I also like following along Cassie Ho’s morning stretch routine.

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

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

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

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!

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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!

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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.