It’s not what you think. I am not suggesting that you started drinking matcha or begin a meditation practice.

It all started when my bestie wanted to lose 10 pounds before going on vacation. Look, I’m all about taking one for the team and being in solidarity with my loved ones, but this request required me to be out of the door by 5am to walk 5 miles. Ma’am, are you serious? Well, I obliged. It would only be for two weeks.

Getting up at 5am to focus on me -not my kids, not work, but me, felt glorious! You have to know that: 1) I am not a morning person and 2) I had been telling myself that I had no time to workout because I’m effing busy! I was officially hooked after Day 1. I felt like I could conquer the world with this small shift to my schedule. It was rejuvenating. It was healing. This practice was counter to all the stories I told myself about my time and what I was able to prioritize in a given day.

After two weeks, I wanted to continue this practice, but getting up at 5am to walk was a no-go with my girl off to Kenya. My new morning ritual had already changed me. How could I make it work now that I was riding solo? I decided to get up at 5am to have my tea, meditate, journal, and jump on the Peloton.

All in all, I spend about 3 hours alone before I engage with other humans. It has changed how I show up in the world. I am more centered, intentional and composed. These are not adjectives I would ever use to describe myself! Previously, my circumstances would predict my response. Now, I am able to get to a steady state with greater ease as a result of giving to myself each day. I am also able to be present for others without resentment, because my cup is full. This quiet communion with self has created a steadiness that I allows me to be more powerful in all of my interactions.

Let me be clear, this is not about meditation or matcha. It’s about finding what will support you in showing up as your best self each day. For me, it was getting up earlier to focus on the things that ground me. In my past life, the very things that ground me would quickly be deprioritized in the busyness of my day. It’s funny how those rituals that are the literal wind beneath our wings don’t make the daily to-do list. Try starting your day with your matcha and meditation routine. Overall, it has created more abundant energy in my life. I bet your to-do list gets shorter too…mine has!