This is Day 3 of my 30-day daily writing challenge. Today, I want to share my morning writing ritual.
The vibrating watch wakes me up. It’s 5 a.m.
My body feels stiff, like a machine that hasn’t run in hours. I lift my arms, reaching for the ceiling, stretching until I feel the tension pull through my spine. My shoulders loosen. My legs wake up as I bend forward, fingertips grazing my toes. A deep breath melts away the last traces of sleep.
I splash cold water on my face—the shock is refreshing, sharpening my senses. Then, I drink a big glass of warm water. It’s like oil lubricating an engine, priming me for the day ahead.
A Walk to Wake the Mind
Stepping outside, the crisp morning air meets my skin. The world is still. The streets are quiet, wrapped in the hush of dawn.
Birds chatter in the distance, their songs blending with the soft rustling of leaves. The pavement is cool, damp with lingering dew. As I walk, I hear the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath my shoes—a steady beat, grounding me in the present.
This isn’t about tracking steps. It’s about movement. And movement creates momentum.
Coffee: A Ritual in a Cup
Back inside, I head straight to the espresso machine. Fresh coffee grounds fill the air with a rich, nutty aroma. The machine hums, pressing water through the grounds, releasing a dark, velvety stream.
Thick, creamy espresso pours into my cup, leaving a golden layer of crema on top. My favorite long black. I take the first sip—bold, slightly bitter, smooth. It warms me from the inside, fueling my mind.
Deep Work Mode: Where Writing Begins
The office is quiet. A faint glow of morning light spreads across my desk. The aroma of coffee lingers in the air, mixing with the cool scent of fresh paper.
I adjust my standing desk and put on my headphones. Low-focus music from brain.fm plays in the background, pulling me into deep work mode.
I open my notebook and glance at today’s writing topic. The keyboard feels cool under my fingertips. A deep breath. The first sentence appears on the screen.
One word follows another. Then another. The rhythm of keystrokes fills the room.
For the next hour, I write—before the world wakes up, before distractions take over.
This is my morning writing ritual.
