Mindfulness Practice

I have a morning routine that, on paper, sounds like a productivity dream. I wake up, drink a glass of water, make myself a cup of coffee, do a quick 15-minute workout, journal for a bit, and then dive into lesson planning or writing while my mind is still fresh—all before 6 a.m. when I officially start my day. Sounds great, right? A structured, disciplined start to the morning, setting the tone for the rest of the day. But here’s the reality of how today went: I woke up and had my glass of water—so far, so good. But then, I felt too sore and tired to work out. I made my coffee but added milk (at least I skipped the sugar, so small victories?). I’m supposed to be fasting until 8 a.m., which means no milk or sugar, but today, I just couldn’t bring myself to care. Then came journaling. I opened my notebook, pen in hand, ready to reflect, plan, or pour out my thoughts. And all I could think was: Blah. I’m tired. Not exactly the profound insight I was hoping for. So, I jotted down some...

Why Do My Best Intentions Turn Into Coffee and Scrolling? You know the feeling—you go to bed full of ambition, picturing yourself waking up bright and early, sipping water like a health guru, easing into a yoga flow, and journaling with purpose. But when the alarm goes off, reality sets in. Instead of transforming into the morning superstar you envisioned, you grab a cup of coffee and start scrolling through Instagram. What’s going on here? The truth is, this morning battle is all too familiar, and it’s not just about willpower—it’s rooted in psychology and habit. Let’s unpack why coffee and scrolling take over and explore how you can align your intentions with your actions. The Disconnect Between Intentions and Reality At night, we’re reflective and motivated. It’s easy to dream of being a better version of ourselves tomorrow. Psychologists refer to this as “positive projection”—imagining your future self smashing goals gives you a feel-good boost in the present. But when the morning ...