Contributor: Christina
From: Toronto, Canada
Sign: Libra
Job title: Founder TEN/01
Social: @christina_desantis
Favourite way to Celebrate Everyday: My daily morning ritual
Hi, my name is Christina and don't hate me when I say this, but I am a morning person.
The people in my life: friends, roommates, boyfriends, have always thought my routine is insane and I'm often asked, "how are you such a morning person?", "why do you get up so early?" ...
The truth is, I have no doubt it's due in large to how I was raised. I am first generation Canadian and grew up with immigrant parents who got up at the crack of dawn with the roosters (no literally, we had roosters).
But now, many years later and living alone, the truth is I love everything about the morning time. I enjoy the sunrise and waking up slowly, it's quiet, it's peaceful and it really feels like my time to myself. I truly cherish this time and it sets the tone for my entire day ahead.
Over the past year I have curated a little 6 step morning routine that has helped me start the day feeling positive, productive and vibrating higher.
1. Wake-up without an alarm
Unless I have a precise time down to the minute that I have to be somewhere super early, I will absolutely not set an alarm.
I don't like to wake up startled and it feels good that my body gets as much rest time as it needs.
I know it might sound crazy to some, but once you're used to it your body adapts!
2. No phone within 30 minutes of waking up
This is a practice I've recently incorporated and I'm working on every day because I think it's extremely important.
It gives me 30 minutes to be with my own thoughts and allows me to begin the day without being bombarded by the noise of notifications, news feeds, emails, etc.
3. Matcha + Candle + Grounding Frequency
This 30 minutes of me time can really be a combination of whatever you enjoy.
I usually make a matcha and take the time to enjoy it.
I'll light a candle and turn on a grounding frequency (hertz 528 is usu a go-to)
Then I'll journal / meditate - whatever I have time for, whatever I'm in the mood for.
4. Workout before work
This is pretty self-explanatory but I always feel better after working out in the morning (and if I don't do it then, it doesn't get done)
It usually involves 30-60 mins of a cardio workout and on alternating days I like to go for a long walk with a podcast.
Current podcast favourites include: Oprah's super soul, Almost 30, Jay Shetty's On Purpose & Deepak Chopra's Infinite Potential.
5. Plant Based Breakfast
It's been about 12 years since I've eaten meat. I was vegetarian for many years.
Then vegan. And now I eat a 90% plant based diet (avoiding meat, dairy, eggs but consuming small amounts of wild caught fish) because I find that's what works best for me right now.
Starting the day with a plant-based breakfast is so important to me because again it sets the tone for the whole day. I enjoy whole foods that are highly nutrient dense and will fuel my body and mind for the day; rather than something processed that ends up leaving me feeling heavy and tired.
We obviously all know that every individual is different and has different nutritional needs, this is just what works best for me and I am a huge advocate of intuitive eating.
6. Handwritten To-Do List Each Morning
As I sit down and get ready to begin working around 9:00am
I always write down a list of everything I need to do in the day.
I've actually been told I'm too organized, but I'm okay with it.
Writing things actually helps me retain the information instead of relying on my phone or calendar. This list helps me stay organized, prioritize and shift anything around if need be. This plan of action helps me feel like my to-dos are attainable and by focusing on crossing one thing off at a time I'm less stressed & anxious about everything that needs to get done.
Every day is different and sometimes the day doesn't always go as planned but when I start the morning with these 6 steps is when I feel my best and ready to take on the day.
And if you're still here, thank you for reading. I'm honoured you would take your time and hope that at least one of these daily practices has inspired you to try something new!
With love and light,
- Christina xo