Happy Twosday!
In Atomic Habits, James Clear says:
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.”
A morning and evening routine are powerful ways to consistently cast votes for your character. They’re rhythms that give you practice in becoming who you want to be.
A morning routine helps you:
Take up a proactive posture rather than a reactive one,
Set the tone for your day by creating momentum,
Have a space of solitude and slowness in a loud and busy world,
Process your life,
And put your values in action.
Behind any thoughtful morning routine is an intentional evening routine that leads to quality sleep.
Morning and evening routines will look different for every person. I think poor routines are the ones you don’t intentionally develop. Passive and reactive living won’t shape you into your dream self.
In this week’s post, I share the ideal morning and evening routines that work for me. It’s not a prescription and I don’t always execute them as well as I describe them in this post. My goal is to help you put a few minutes of thought into the routines shaping you every day.
Morning
🏃 Move my body
I aim to run more days in the week than not. You can hold me accountable on Strava. If I don’t run, I try to at least stretch or go on a walk.
Starting my day with a run clears my mind, boosts my energy, and gives me proof that I can do hard things.
🚿 Shower + envision the day
My high school running coach taught me to envision my races before they happened. I found the shower to be the best spot for this.
This 10-minute window helps me reduce surprises and increase confidence by giving me a mental roadmap of the day.
📚 Read The Daily Office
The Daily Office features scheduled scripture readings taken from the Book of Common Prayer. I typically read the AM section, which includes a Psalm, a chapter from the Old Testament, and a chapter from the New Testament.
The Daily Office prevents decision paralysis for what to read. It also encourages me, knowing Anglicans worldwide are reading the same thing.
🍌 Breakfast
I make the same smoothie every morning: banana, spinach, peanut butter, mixed berries, chia seeds, and oat milk.
✍️ Journal
I use the Full Focus Planner and write down three things I’m grateful for, one affirmation, and today’s to-do list.
Evening
🍵 Tea
I usually drink a sleepy time tea but anything without caffeine will do.
📱 Unplug
I put my phone outside of my room and turn on my Casper Glow.
✍️ Journal
I recap my day in a few sentences.
It’s nothing special in the moment, but it’s helpful for tracking patterns and remembering stories of how I spent my time.
🙏 Pray
I pray the Examen, a contemplative prayer that guides you through a daily review.
📚 Read fiction
I read in bed until my timed Casper Glow fades out or I do.
Fiction because I’ve found it to be more relaxing on the mind than nonfiction.
Thanks for reading, friends!
✌️
— Luke
P.S. I’m looking for my next fiction read. Feel free to reply to this email with any recs you got.
You shower for ten minutes?