It's currently 5:47 in the morning, and I'm sitting here with bags under my eyes that would make an airport luggage handler wince, contemplating the absolute madness of "perfect morning routines" that flood our social media feeds. You know the ones I'm talking about those ethereal beings who wake at 4 AM, meditate for an hour, journal their gratitudes, exercise like Olympians, make a green smoothie that contains approximately 47 superfoods, and still have time to read War and Peace before most of us have even hit the snooze button for the third time.
(And here I am, feeling accomplished because I remembered to put the kettle on before sitting down to write.)
The Gospel of Morning According to Instagram
Have you ever noticed how morning routines have become almost... religious? There's this strange gospel being preached across social media platforms: "Thou shalt rise before the sun, thou shalt not consume caffeine before water, thou shalt journal thy thoughts, and lo, success shall follow thee all the days of thy life."
It's the modern-day equivalent of stone tablets, except these commandments come with perfect lighting and an aesthetically pleasing filter.
In Ecclesiastes 1:9, it says, "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." (NIV) And yet somehow, every influencer presents their morning routine as if they've discovered the secret scrolls of productivity that have been hidden since ancient times.
Now, I could rattle off all sorts of scientific studies about chronotypes and circadian rhythms and how some people genuinely are more biologically inclined toward morningness or eveningness. (By the way the fancy scientific term for night owls is "vespertine," which sounds like either a high-end perfume or an antihistamine, doesn't it?)
Dr Matthew Walker, in his book "Why We Sleep," discusses how our individual chronotypes are largely determined by genetics. So if you're struggling to join the 5 AM club, it might literally be in your DNA. (Finally, a legitimate excuse for hitting that snooze button!)
But here's the rub the research also suggests that regardless of your chronotype, having a consistent routine can improve your overall wellbeing. It's not necessarily about waking up at sparrow's fart; it's about consistency.
The Gentle Reality Manifesto
Right, so now that we've thoroughly debunked the myth of the perfect morning routine (have we? I hope so), let's get down to what actually matters.
In his book "Atomic Habits," James Clear suggests that it's not about massive changes but tiny, consistent improvements. He wasn't specifically talking about morning routines, but the principle applies perfectly. It's not about having the most Instagram-worthy morning; it's about finding small, sustainable habits that genuinely improve your day.
So here's my challenge to you:
For the next week, forget about what influencers say you should be doing in the morning. Instead, identify ONE thing, just one that genuinely makes your morning better. Maybe it's five minutes of stretching. Maybe it's reading a few pages of a book. Maybe it's just taking the time to drink your coffee while it's still hot (revolutionary concept, I know). For me, I just need to write 1 blog just 1.
In Matthew 6:34, Jesus says, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (NIV) Perhaps that's the true morning wisdom not fixing our eyes on some perfect future routine, but finding peace in the morning we actually have.
The Last Sip (For Now...)
Look, I'm not saying that all those influencer morning routines are complete cobblers. Maybe there are people out there who genuinely bound out of bed at 4:30 AM, bursting with joy and energy. (Though I suspect they might be the same people who enjoy cold showers and running marathons "for fun" slightly suspicious characters, if you ask me.)
What I am saying is that your morning doesn't need to look like a lifestyle blog to be valuable. That bleary-eyed shuffle to the kettle? That's real life, mate. That moment when you finally remember where you put your other sock? That's the authentic human experience.
And ngicela ningizwe kahle maybe just maybe there's more wisdom in embracing our morning reality than in chasing someone else's highlight reel.
It's now 6:31, and I'm off to have another cup of coffee because that's what works for me. No filter required.
Develop a simple morning routine that works for you. Because This is What we do NOW!
Comments
Post a Comment