How I Transitioned to a Slower Morning Routine for the Winter Months 🧣☀️
Recently, I've been reflecting on how my morning routine has naturally shifted with the winter season. As someone who typically shares elaborate morning routines, I wanted to open up about embracing a slower, more nurturing approach during these darker months – especially while balancing a 9-5 job with my PhD studies.
Listening to Nature's Rhythms
I've been reading "Evergreen" by Lydia Millan, and it's helped me understand how we can take cues from nature across different seasons. Looking out my London window at the misty, overcast skies, I've noticed my body craving more rest. While I typically wake up at 5 or 6 AM in summer, I'm now naturally waking around 7:30-8 AM. Instead of fighting this shift or feeling guilty about it, I'm learning to lean into this natural rhythm.
A Gentler Start
My current morning routine is beautifully simple compared to my previous ones. There's no elaborate 10-step skincare routine or immediate gym session. Instead, I focus on a few key rituals that help me ease into the day:
Making the bed and having some water first thing
A gentle cleanup of the kitchen (reality check: sometimes there are dishes from the night before!)
Preparing a nourishing breakfast (lately I'm loving Greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds and honey)
Creating my signature matcha latte with homemade chai syrup
Taking time for journaling and reading
The Power of Delayed Digital Connection
One of the biggest changes I've made is resisting the immediate urge to check my phone, Slack, and emails upon waking. As someone who tends toward anxiety, I've noticed that diving straight into digital communications often leads to a more scattered, anxious day. By taking this peaceful time for myself first, I find it much easier to maintain focus when I do start work.
Creating Simple Rituals
I've discovered joy in creating small, special moments in my winter mornings. For instance, I now make my own flavored simple syrups for my daily matcha latte. It's these little touches that make my slower mornings feel intentional rather than lazy.
Journaling: An Unexpected Anchor
I used to be skeptical about daily journaling – I never knew what to write! But over the past few months, it's become an almost daily practice. I don't pressure myself to write extensively; sometimes it's just a few thoughts or working through a problem. The key has been removing the pressure to make it perfect or profound.
Morning Reading: Food for Thought
Another practice I've incorporated is reading non-fiction in the morning. Currently, I'm exploring Cal Newport's "Slow Productivity," which has been particularly relevant to my current lifestyle of balancing full-time work with PhD studies. What I love about morning reading is how it provides thought-provoking ideas that I can ponder throughout the day.
A Realistic Approach to Planning
My morning organization system using Notion isn't perfect – and that's okay. Some days I skip it entirely. But on workdays especially, taking those 10 minutes to check in with my goals and schedule helps reduce anxiety about forgotten tasks and sets a clear direction for the day.
Final Thoughts
The point of this slower winter routine isn't to be more productive or to optimize every moment. Instead, it's about nurturing my sense of peace and creating space for focus in my busy schedule. Whether it's allowing myself to sleep in, taking time to enjoy breakfast, or spending a few moments journaling, these small acts of self-care have made a significant difference in how I approach my days.
Remember, this isn't about following a prescriptive routine. It's about finding what works for you in this season. If sleeping in helps you function better, do that. If taking extra time to organize your thoughts brings you peace, prioritize that. Winter invites us to slow down, and there's wisdom in accepting that invitation.