Posted on April 29, 2020
Minimalism is not always about ‘stuff’ or excess clutter. Although it’s a great way of living, ‘stuff’ is not the only aspect. Recently, minimalism has been more about intentional living for me. Making conscious choices and remaining present in what I’m doing.
What better way to start off on how I live intentionally in this minimalistic lifestyle than with my morning routine? My mornings set my pace, attitude, and intentions for the day.
Why a Morning Routine?
Routine is a must for me. As much as I would love to ‘go with the flow,’ it doesn’t help ease my anxiety. I found having a routine helps keep me going and holds me accountable, which I need and enjoy. Especially when experiencing depression or high anxiety. I can’t always control when my anxiety or depression comes but I can control how I pace my day and what I give my attention to.
Adjusting to a minimalistic lifestyle has greatly benefited my mental health. I found my mornings are the start of it all. When I focused on figuring out a morning routine, I noticed a big shift in my day-to-day life. It took some trial and error, as well as a lot of editing (which is not my favorite). However, after I finally found my perfect Minimalist Morning Routine, my mornings and days were a lot smoother. More importantly, my attitude was so much more positive.
First Establish Intention
To establish a Minimalist Morning Routine that’s going to work for you, you first need to establish what your intentions are. Your intention can change from day to day or stay the same for months at a time.
On days you just have a lot to do, start off with a bang! Set an intention of getting 1/2 of your items done before lunch to be able to enjoy your evening. If you tend to experience a lot of anxiety or find yourself not as present as you’d like to be, set an intention of doing one thing at a time. An intention of a slower pace throughout your day.
You might be shocked to find that you still accomplish the same amount doing one thing at a time as you would multi-tasking, and sometimes more. Knowing what your intention is, will help you set the schedule of your routine accordingly.
Next, Make a Schedule
Having a schedule written out in some form or fashion will help you perfect your Minimalist Morning Routine. You could write it in a journal, or your daily planner, download an app, or just put it in the notes on your phone, as I do. But having a schedule you can see will not only help you remember your routine but give you something to edit as you adjust it to be your perfect fit.
Your schedule will not look the same as mine, your friends, or whatever influencer you’re watching. It’s personal to you. Here’s how I started creating mine…
Decide What Time ‘Morning’ Is For You – Some people are up at 5 am and at work by 8 am. Others are stay-at-home moms or wives and are up at 6 am and could consider their morning until noon. It sounds silly and simple, yes. But you’ll want to establish a time block, to know what’s realistically going to fit into your routine and what’s not.
Make a List of What You Think You Want To Do In The Morning – I started off with a list of 25 items, and I now have a list of 10. So, start with everything you think you want to accomplish. Go as detailed as you want! Then, after some trial and error, you’ll start to ween through what you have time for and what’s really important to you.
Now You Schedule It – This could also be as detailed as you like. Try creating a list in the order you think you want it done or schedule it out in time blocks. I use a time block of 6:30 am to 11:30 am. If you do want to schedule each task in a time block, start with what you want to do as soon as you wake up and guesstimate how long you think it’ll take. Then, on to the next item. Again, with trial and error, you’ll be able to perfect how long it actually takes you to do this stuff and in what order it works best.
Re-Evaluate and Edit – I started with a 25-item ‘check-list’ and now have a 10-item list on my phone with no boxes to check. It’ll take some time to actually put it to use to find what the best fit is for you. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve re-evaluated or ‘edited’ my morning routine but it doesn’t matter. Life changes, values change, and priorities change! I think it’s important that you embrace your journey and allow your Minimalist Morning Routine to change and grow with you.
My Minimalist Morning Routine
Oil Pull While Stretching
Brush Teeth
Skincare Routine
Get Dressed & Ready
Start Load of Laundry
Put Away Clean Dishes
Cook Breakfast
School Drop Off
Final Thoughts
I’ve decided not to ‘time block’ any of my stuff. (As in, Brush Teeth & Wash Face 6:30-6:45.) I simply list my items in the order that works best for my mornings. I’ve found it’s less pressure on me to get things done ‘on time,’ especially when I have two children at home.
As you can see, my list is quite simple. I started off wanting to be extremely productive and get most of my ‘day’ done in the morning, hence the 25 items there used to be. But, that’s when I noticed my anxiety and depression were prominent.
I then changed my intention from productive to mindful. I found a simple and slow-paced routine has greatly benefited my mental health and overall happiness. I’m more present throughout my day as well as patient, which is very important with kids. This current routine I have is truly what I feel embodies a Minimalist Morning Routine, for me.
Take it slow, take it one at a time, and start to truly experience life in a way that you intentionally choose. The benefits I’ve experienced are remarkable. Give a Minimalist Morning Routine a try and let me know your experience below!
