My Morning Routine: Ideas for Starting with Intention

The past four months have been a beautiful shift in my morning routine. I hope you find this article helpful and perhaps inspire you to create a rhythm that works for you.

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My Morning Routine

I wake up one hour before sunrise. Yep, bright and early. It’s not because I’m trying to be a productivity queen (I’m a recovering do-it-all multitasker) or get a head start on emails. It’s because I want to be awake for the slow, quiet shift of light that happens before the world starts moving.

First light begins about 30 minutes before sunrise, and there’s something sacred about watching the sky move through small changes as light gradually sets in.

So, I adjust my wakeup time with the seasons.

In the summer, when the sun is coming in hot around 6am, I’m usually up around 5am.

In the winter, when everything feels slower and cold and dark, it’s closer to 7am.

I let the sun tell me when to rise and when to rest. That rhythm makes sense to me. Not to say it’s easy. The waking up part has gotten easier, though still tough at times. But going to bed when there are things to do and people to see can be tricky. 

I use this Rise Centered Alarm Clock which has natural materials and low EMF’s (it doesn’t connect to your phone or need wifi). It’s simple, cute, and it has made my mornings way easier!

What Happens Next

The first thing I do when I wake up is morning pages, a practice I picked up from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. It’s three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing. No overthinking. No editing. Just letting the words dump onto the page. It takes me about 20–30 minutes and helps clear the mental cobwebs so I can think clearly and create freely. Oh and it’s handwritten, remember that?

After that, I settle into meditation and prayer using the Insight Timer or Lectio 365 app. This is my space to reflect, breathe, listen, and connect with God. Mostly my mind wanders and I get frustrated with myself for not being able to focus. But I know that the practice is training me to control my thoughts, even if I can only handle them for 30 seconds before they take off again.

I might sit on a cushion, stretch out on the floor, move a little as I listen, or even lay back in bed. I do whatever my body is calling for that day. This time usually lasts another 20–30 minutes.

Then I get dressed, wash up, and head downstairs for breakfast. I give myself about 30 minutes to eat, enjoy the moment, and not rush into the next thing (which proves to be quite challenging).

Seasonal Shifts in Routine

After breakfast, what happens next depends on the season.

In the summer, I’ll head out to the garden for a bit or go for a walk before the heat sets in, sometimes both. Our summers warm up fast, so I try to catch the coolness while it lasts.

In the winter or early spring, when the garden is resting, I grab a cup of coffee and spend time reading scripture while I write.

I start my “work” day (more on what that means later) around 9am pretty much year-round. What I do, however, depends on the day and the season. Sometimes that means coaching sessions, writing, dancing, or tending to our home. It largely depends on what my family’s schedule is like. In the colder months, I like to get to the studio or gym for some movement since early morning walks in subzero temperatures isn’t really my thing. I get to have variety within some structure which is perfect for me. It is easy to get pulled in multiple directions, so having a few things that ground me while practicing adaptability helps me feel balanced. 

Why This Works for Me

None of this is held too tightly. I’ve learned that being awake early makes me feel good. Writing first thing keeps my thoughts clear and focused. Meditation and prayer center me in what really matters. The rest can flex. I love variety, so shaking things up keeps me from getting bored. But a few anchors, like writing and solitude, keep me grounded. It prepares my body and mind for the whole day, not just the morning. 

I hope this helps you think through your own rhythm. Maybe your version looks different and that’s the beauty of it. Let it be personal. Allow it flex with your seasons. Let it serve your soul, not your schedule.

Remember, you don’t have to be rigid to be intentional.

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