Why is my morning routine structured the way it is?
I wake up between 4:30–5 a.m. every day (including weekends)
First thing I do is sip a glass of water for 10-15 minutes.
This allows me to wake up slowly.
To savor the first touch of water.
To set the day's rhythm (which is to avoid feeling rushed)
Then I meditate for 30 minutes.
This is to listen to my thoughts, not to control them.
So, before I listen to or attend to anyone, I attend to myself.
Haven't missed a day for 6 years now!
Then I read for 30 mins.
This is to feed my mind the right diet.
So, before garbage enters my mind (through mindless scrolling or emails or messages), I nourish it.
Then I get my kids ready for school (30 mins)
This reminds me of the most precious role I play in my life :)
Then I play tennis for an hour
This is to wake up my body.
Get it moving. Taste the sweat.
Then I lift weights at the gym for an hour
This is to strengthen the body, build muscles, so that it can age well and hopefully provide me good company as I age.
Then I come back and read the newspaper for 15 minutes.
This is my first connection with the world, after waking up.
But I am reading the news that I chose to read. To the extent I chose to read.
I won't be dragged into a mindless debate, and I'm not being offered any breaking news.
Then I do epic s**t :)) and shower.
And then I sit down to work, around 9:30 a.m.
By this time I have given myself 4-5 years of a ritual that has cleansed and nourished my mind, soul, and body.
Ready to face what the world offers.
This routine works for me.
It will not work for you.
But a routine will surely work for you.
Build yours today!