Grounding habits and finding steadiness before the rush…

Often, mornings set the tone for the day ahead. If five things have gone wrong before 9am, your start might already be filled with fluster and overwhelm before the day has officially begun. At this point, because it’s still early, you might try to sigh it out and carry on, convincing yourself it will get better. 

However, all it takes is one spilled latte, or finding out your favorite lunch is out of stock a few hours later, for you to finally admit defeat and accept a day clouded by annoyance. 

This is why I try to prioritise my morning routine. We so often hear about winding down after the workday, the aesthetic videos showcasing the ideal evening routine, but what about winding up to begin it? Starting the day on a soft note, in a zone of calm, helps to prepare you for whatever lies ahead. It’s about finding your grounding anchors.

Now, I wish my first step (or grounding anchor) were spending time outdoors on a nice long walk, without my phone. But, sadly, that’s just not the case. I actually find a sense of calm in going through my overnight notifications and mapping out the day ahead. It gives clarity on what I need to do and how to organise myself accordingly.

The next step is breathing in the sun, from indoors. I try to get out in the mornings, but it’s far from consistent! Regardless, taking a few moments to look out of the window and take a few centering breaths is a great reminder to be present, steady and grounded in whatever I do. I have the tendency to go full steam ahead and burn myself out; this small step acts as a subtle daily reminder to pause and recentre. During the day, when my thoughts are too loud and chaotic, I often spend a few minutes by a window. I like to think of it as wiping the whiteboard clean and beginning again, hopefully with more clarity.

My last step is perhaps my biggest anchor: coffee! A simple but comforting ritual that provides me with the energy and warmth I need first thing. The routine is uncomplicated – my favourite mug, my favourite coffee and warmed soya milk. Three steps, and my body begins whirring into a more productive mode, with a small sense of joy.

These acts are so small you can almost forget there’s intention behind them. But they all evoke a sense of calm and slowness I need before the day begins. A little reminder that self-care doesn’t need to be big or loud, but it does need to be consistent.

Now don’t get me wrong, my routine doesn’t always look like this. There are morning when the alarm is snoozed one too many times, or a ten minute TikTok scroll has turns into forty (true story!). I get annoyed at the time wasted, but that’s just the thing. Nothing in life is perfect, nor should it be. Consistency is key, as is accepting the setbacks, not lingering on them.

What are your anchoring morning habits?