One nonnegotiable task in my morning routine is to watch an episode of “Modern Family.” As contradictory as it sounds, I consider this to be discipline.
During my first two years of high school, I let my to-do list act as a hamster wheel spinning me from the moment I crawled out of bed. Oddly, I thought constant motion was a noble part of high school. It was far from noble. Always staying on work mode made days robotic and blend into one another.
As I entered junior year, I knew I needed to revamp my routine. I wanted time in my day not dedicated to work. The change was implementing a morning pause between when I woke up and actually started my day.
What a morning pause is and how to implement it
The morning pause is time intentionally carved out between when someone wakes up and when they start their work day.
Typically, before my junior year I would wake up at 7:30 a.m. and would leave for school at 8 a.m. During this window, other than completing morning tasks like brushing my teeth or packing my school bag, I would immediately look for my phone analyzing that day’s to-do list.
A rushed morning routine does not allow for our brains to adjust to being awake. According to Live Science, our brains need at least 30 minutes in order to truly wake up.
However, after implementing a morning pause, I now wake up at 6 a.m. and leave for school at 8 a.m.— allowing me to fill the time with hobbies or leisurely activities I would not have time for otherwise.
Since I naturally prefer waking up earlier, I enjoy having two hours to myself before I leave for school. However, you may not need a two-hour buffer.
To find what amount of time best suits your schedule, start by checking what time you leave for school. Then subtract 60 minutes and set your alarm for that time. Giving yourself at least more than 30 minutes between when you wake up and when you start your day can be pivotal towards a happier day.
Currently, I make sure to fill my morning pause with an episode of “Modern Family” and a stroll around my neighborhood. It is my own way to bring joy into my mornings and it does not keep my focus on a to-do list.
Benefits of implementing a morning pause
This shift in my routine has single handedly changed my focus and productivity throughout the day.
Having structured stillness is my daily reminder to be present and that it is OK to take it easy. By the time I walk into school, I feel much more clearheaded rather than in a rushed frenzy.
Although there is time for productivity, it does not need to be constant to where you deprive yourself of a proper morning. Even when to-do lists feel overwhelming, I implore you can find autonomy in your day. With some extra time, you can rewatch cozy nostalgic television or go on a morning walk where the sun can meet your smile.
Discipline yourself with stillness.
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