Mornings have a sweet spot in my heart for their enchantment. Mornings are mythical in their power, in their ability to cast a hue on the entire day before it even begins. Here are my six tips on how to make your mornings more meaningful:

#1 Own the First Hour

Whether you are a mom of three kids, run your own business, or are a high-powered exec who commutes two hours a day — you can choose to own your day from the minute you wake up. I’d rather set my alarm an hour early and have a chance to get oriented in a calm, quiet manner, then sleep an extra hour and be running from the minute I get out of bed. Wake up at a time that you know you can own the first hour of every morning.

#2 Spent the First Hour in Sweetness

For the first hour of my day I don’t turn on any electronics. No phone, no television, no computer, not even a newspaper. When you spend the first hour of the day in sweetness — whether that is going for a walk, doing yoga or meditation, or simply sitting in silence — you train yourself to be present. That awareness and attention makes you more confident and allows you to stay in harmony as the day presents itself.

#3 Honor your Beverage Ritual

I make tea every morning. While the kettle is warming I place the leaves in the pot and gather the cups and saucers. It’s an everyday ritual that can seem routine, so I do it with intention and a sense of gratitude, with no other noise or distractions. Your morning beverage ritual can serve as a simple luxurious prelude to a nourishing and delicious breakfast.

#4 Put Intention into Breakfast

I have an affinity for a long, leisurely, luxurious breakfast. The length of the ritual isn’t measured in the actual amount of time but in the state of mind while enjoying this daily practice. A luxurious breakfast is about preparing wholesome, nutritious, and delicious foods that delight the senses and please the palette and which you enjoy in a state of complete ease.

#5 Invite Moments of Creativity and Beauty

After breakfast I turn on classical baroque music and take a few moments to bring something creative and beautiful into my experience. Some days that’s curating gorgeous images for my Pinterest boards, other days it is writing a happy text or note to a friend, sketching out future vacation plans, planning recipes for the week, or just setting down my thoughts in a journal.

#6 Dedicated Time for Thoughtful Emails

I usually only respond to personal emails between eight and ten in the morning. If someone sends me an email later in the day I will wait and respond the next morning. I’ve found that these early morning responses are more thoughtful after I’ve had the evening to think about them and through the years I’ve also discovered that people pay the most attention to emails that hit their inboxes first thing! ☕️