The 5 Key Elements of My Morning Routine


March 16, 2021

My morning routine is key.

It’s how I set my intention for the day and root into the ways of being that will allow me to create what I want continually.

It’s one of the most important parts of my life.

And when I miss it, it’s obvious!

I’ve been practicing a morning routine for at least the last decade, and I’ve learned what works best for me. Which, keep that in mind while reading… this is my morning routineIt’s what feels right for me. It’s proven to work best when I do these things in this order every single morning.

These things might not work for you, and that’s okay! Find what does.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, it’ll give you a starting point…

Some of the following links are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you click through and purchase.

Here’s a look at my morning routine:

1. Morning Pages

I learned about morning pages from Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way.

As Julia writes:

Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*–they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page… and then do three more pages tomorrow.

Because I use a smaller notebook (8.5 x 5.5″), I aim for six pages total in the mornings. I don’t always hit it, but I do my best (like everything.) I write about what’s on my mind, what happened the day before, things I’m trying to make sense of, and the random things I need to put somewhere besides my brain. I take Julia’s approach to heart and stay in the stream of consciousness. If I don’t know what to write and I’m short, I keep on writing anyway! This always makes way for some GOLD to come through.

2. Study Mode

Study Mode is usually an extension of morning pages for me and is such an essential part of living my purpose and getting my mind right for the day. What I do is pop open a book (whichever one speaks to me that morning, but a handful of my favorites are below!) and look for a passage that stands out. Usually, it’s something I’ve highlighted while reading; sometimes, it’s words that never really registered for me before.

Either way, I sit with what I’ve read and really let it land. Then I journal about it. I go deeper into the words, concepts, and what they mean for me. I pick them apart and think about how I’ll apply this way of thinking, believing, or being around whatever I’ve been focused on in my life or in that morning’s pages.

I honestly can’t stress enough how life-changing this practice has been.

It’s how I guard my mindset. It’s how I root into new ways of being. It’s how I anchor in new ideas, inspiration, awarenesses, and downloads. And it’s how I move through really challenging periods of growth and healing. It’s been so powerful for me that it’s become a cornerstone of our Coaching + Community work!

Here are some of my favorite books to pull from:

3. Meditation

Yes, usually with Max in my lap!

Once I’m emptied out from writing, I put my phone on “do not disturb” and set my timer for 15 minutes. I’ve always kept it simple by focusing on my breath and what it feels like to inhale and exhale. Thoughts come up, of course. But I just keep refocusing on my breath as many times as it takes. Sometimes I make it halfway and feel done; most of the time, I make it to 15!

I always feel a deep sense of peace while I meditate, but this wasn’t always the case. I used to struggle to sit still and not get wrapped up in my thoughts. Focusing my attention on the sensations of each inhale and exhale made a world of difference. As has “not participating” in my thoughts. I notice them and redirect to my breath. I don’t engage or go down the rabbit hole, not even if a great idea pops up. I trust that if it’s meant to be a useable download, it will be there at the end.

4. Yoga or Stretching

Yoga makes me angry, which is very common apparently, especially with trauma (I don’t like feeling “trapped” in a pose). But I have a couple of videos I bought on Prime many moons ago that I like (Sequence A and Sequence B).

I aim for 20 – 30min right now but would love to work towards 45 minutes every day. If I’m really not in the mood or I’m in pain, I spend time stretching, foam rolling, and using the little spine-stretching thing a chiropractor once gave me.

5. Movement




This changes depending on my mood, the seasons, and whether or not it’s pandemic times. Walking is one of my favorite things to do because it’s when I do my best thinking. I process everything from the morning’s writing, study mode, and meditation. And since I’m all emptied out, I’m able to download a lot of insight and inspiration. I listen to music and go out for about 45 minutes to an hour.

When my body’s in a good place, I like to do a HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) workout like Turbokick or Insanity. If there’s no pandemic, I love the gym!

What about food?

That depends on what I’m doing for movement.




Generally, I eat a little something with carbs to fuel up for my movement—brown rice cakes with natural peanut butter and sugar-free jam. I make peanut butter oatmeal bars from time to time and break off a chunk of that. And before weight lifting, I drink a peanut butter protein shake and eat a banana. Whatever gives me energy!

If I’m on a roll, I’ll green juice in the morning.

My favorite:

  • Cucumber
  • Celery
  • Apply
  • Lemon
  • Ginger
  • Romaine
  • Spinach

It gives me energy and sets the tone for the day!

And yes, I love peanut butter. The absolute best CLEAN and DELICIOUS peanut butter I use in everything comes from North Shore Goodies in Hawaii!

What’s your morning routine?

Do you have one? What helps you set the tone for the day?



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The 5 Key Elements of My Morning Routine