If you’re having trouble figuring out a good morning rhythm, here’s one that I’ve found that works for me.
If I can start my morning off right, it changes the trajectory of my day. I try to keep it all within 60 minutes so I can have plenty of time to (1) sleep the night before and (2) be up in time to get our 2yr old up. There are a lot of other folks that spend more/less time in some of these categories, but I’ve found this is the most manageable schedule for me. Here it is — I hope it provides a good framework to work from.
1. Journal (10 minutes)
I normally wake up with a ton on my mind. My mind will be so full that it can cloud my time spent with the Lord so it helps for me to write out what’s on my mind. I don’t normally write novels but it helps to get my thoughts on paper, even if they are short bullet listed items. My goal is to clear my mind and this helps with that. When my mind is clear, that allows me to hear from the Lord in silence + solitude and Scripture + prayer.
2. Silence + Solitude (10 minutes)
I set a 10 minute timer on my watch. I do nothing but sit and stare out of my home office window. This is the hardest yet so rewarding. When I first started I wanted to grab my phone after a few seconds of boredom. So, I sit there and sometimes it’s just a blank stare, but often I find God speaks the most during this time, usually guiding whatever is on my mind to something in His Word. This is something I’ve picked up in the last year and it has changed the way I HEAR God.
3. Scripture + Prayer (10 minutes)
I have a yearly Bible reading plan that I go through, but I stay fluid. Sometimes, I spend time in the Bible where God directs me during silence and solitude, and I am usually praying/talking to God as I read. I will also go back to my journal to process what I’m learning during this time and write down any thoughts or steps of obedience.
4. Exercise (30 minutes)
I hate it. I really do. But it ignites my brain and gives me a great amount of energy during the day IF I don’t exercise too long, so I try to keep it at 30 minutes or 45 max. If you’ve seen me you know I exercise more for mental health and heart health lol
I hope this is a helpful framework for you. Feel free to ask any clarifying questions!
