What’s the best way to start your day? Do you have a morning ritual or a morning routine? A routine is typically passive; you’re going through the motions. A lot of times, our routines aren’t that purposeful. A ritual, however, is thought out and active, it’s restorative and purposeful. A good morning ritual should set you up for the entire day and get your head screwed on straight. A simple life starts with a simple morning ritual. Once I read this book, and it was talking about all these different things to do in the morning before you start your day. Stuff all the big shots and personal development kids do. And I’ll be honest, I tried it, it’s sounded like good advice, but it wasn’t. Because there is no one size fits all approach. So I’m not going to plan your morning out, but I’ll give some quick tips to help start your day the simple way (hey that rhymed, cool beans).

1. Start your day with silence and solitude.
2. Set yourself up for success.
3. Minimize decisions.
4. Keep your wardrobe simple.

Your homework this week is to write out your morning ritual, determine how you want to feel when you’re starting your day and work backwards from there? Do you want to start the day overwhelmed and anxious? Hit snooze, read the news and worry about what to wear then pick up a quick (unhealthy) breakfast from the drive through. Want to start refreshed, energized, at peace and focused? Start the day with silence and solitude, prayer and working out. Find out what works for you. And test it out, let me know what you come up with, I am always interested in this topic.

And if you’re one of those people (like me) who gets anxious when surrounded by clutter, clean your bathroom counter or wherever it is that you get ready in the morning. Find a home for everything. Keep the items you use everyday close, but get them off the counter. Grab a diffuser and soap and commit to only keeping those on the counter.

For extra credit, minimize your wardrobe. Keep the essentials.

For additional study and resources check out:

Freedom of Simplicity by Richard Foster

Bridgetown’s series on Simplicity

The More of Less by Joshua Becker

Enough by Adam Hamilton

The Minimalist Home by Joshua Becker

Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver

Please leave a  prayer or voicemail here, you can also email me: [email protected]

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