The importance of a morning routine

I wake up at 5:00 am every morning. Well, every weekday morning.

But trainers at the gym will be the first to tell you that they don't see me stroll in until around 6:15 am or so. That's because I have a morning routine.

A what?

A morning routine. Or ritual, one might say.

In fact, I thrive on this. My days are very long. And if I don't set myself up for it, I can get incredibly discombobulated and frazzled by the end the day. Ungrounded. Grumpy. Not myself.

I consider myself an introvert, so I need this quiet time to recharge. I like to say I am an introvert leading an extroverted life. 

As an elementary school specialist (Music, Art, P.E., Library, Tech, etc.) you have to be "ON" ALL THE TIME. Seriously. I teach 7 to 9 classes a day. 

(my schedule)

I'm done with one class and the other is waiting outside my door, ready to come in. I am mentally switching gears between grade levels, ability levels, classroom dynamics, kids with special needs, differentiation, the chaos that elementary school can be. And remember, this is only my 2nd year of teaching elementary general music, with no prior experience, so just keeping all the songs in my head is enough of a challenge! 

It is all incredibly draining.

In fact, these first two weeks of school, I did not want to talk to anyone after I finished my school day. I sat in my car in silence. I didn't call my family. I didn't return calls to friends. I just needed to take care of ME. 

And this was not because I didn't want to. I was just getting used to the energy of being "on" all the time and the over-stimulation of constantly being surrounded by music and sound. Non-stop. 

I love silence.

So I begin my day that way.

I wake up to a gentle alarm. Put on the hot water, feed my cat, make my coffee, set up my meditation pillow and inspirational reading, get my coffee cup, light incense, sit for 11 mins, read, journal, drink coffee, pet the cat, accept his love. 

It's not terribly profound. But it really makes a difference. 

What is your morning routine? How do you set yourself up for the day?

Today's workout included legs and plyometrics. Fun times.

Take care of yourself.

Be in silence if you need to. 

Do what makes you happy.